EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR VERBAL ABILITY

9. WORD USAGE: 10. ‘Laidback’ means ‘easy-going’ or ‘casual’. Options A,

B and D are synonymous with it.
1. The word ‘mean’ can be used in sentences 1, 3 and 4. Choice (C) ‘upright’ is the opposite of ‘laidback’.
(3 times) Choice (C)
2. The word ‘point’ can be used in sentences 1, 2 and 4. The 11. ‘Boorish’ refers to a behaviour which is unpleasant and rude.
word ‘view’ can fill in the blanks in sentences 1, 3 and 4. Uncouth, unseemly and awkward imply the same idea.
(3 times) ‘Pompous’ is behaving in a self-important manner.
So it is inappropriate. Choice (D)
3. The word ‘good’ can be used in all the four sentences.
(4 times) 12. ‘Serene’ implies peace. Composed, unperturbed and calm
4. The word ‘catch’ can be used in sentences 1 and 2. are synonymous with it. ‘Queer’ which means peculiar or
(2 times) strange is inappropriate here. Choice (A)

5. The word ‘claim’ can be used in sentence 4, the word ‘call’ 13. ‘Cursory’ means to give a quick and fleeting glance.
in sentence 1, the word ‘visit’ in sentence 2 and the word ‘Attentive’ is an inappropriate substitute. Choice (B)
‘figure’ in sentence 3. So, each word can be used in one 14. ‘Entice’ is to attract or lure. Woo and draw can be used in its
blank only. (1 time) place, but not help. Choice (A)
10. APPROPRIATE SUBSTITUTE: 15. ‘Ominous’ suggests that something bad is likely to happen
and is not a welcome signal. Menacing, sinister and baleful
1. ‘Obdurate’ means stubborn, (obstinate or rigid) and is the are also unpleasant, whereas propitious indicates fortunate.
appropriate choice. ‘Extravagant’ is a tendency to spend a Choice (C)
lot. ‘Mean’ and ‘petty’ suggest narrow-minded.
Choice (A) 12. ANALOGIES:
2. A punitive measure is one which serves as a punishment. Only 1. Contemplate is to ponder (synonymous) as captivate is to
disciplinary gives this idea. ‘Retaliatory’ is to retort (reaction to capture. The words fascinate (charm) and wonder, mitigate
harm), ‘Vindictive’ is trying to harm someone whom you think (ease; lessen) and reject, fabricate (invent) and feign
has harmed you. ‘Conciliatory’ is trying to make angry people (pretend to feel or have) are not synonymous.
calm. Choice (C) Choice (D)
3. ‘Factitious’ is being too artificial or contrived. ‘Flippant’ is 2. The depth of water and the strength of colour can be found
being casual, ‘facetious’ is being amusing at a time when it out. The other options are not related in this manner.
is not warranted. ‘Factual’ is providing facts. Choice (C)
Choice (B)
3. Blood can clot on its own just as milk can curdle on its own.
4. ‘Pensive’ is to be engrossed in thought because you are sad We don’t need an agent or doer for this activity. The other
or worried. Choice (A) three activities need an agent. Choice (B)
5. Assiduity means to be diligent and hardworking. Options A 4. Piston is a part of a power engine. Wings are part of an
and C can be eliminated because of their negative aeroplane. The remaining options are unrelated.
connotation. Choice (B) Choice (C)
11. INAPPROPRIATE SUBSTITUTE: 5. We recite a poem just as we chant a prayer. We cannot
express a speech. Choice (C) can be eliminated because all
1. “Utiopian’ world is an imaginary or visionary world. ‘Stark’ is though dance is choreographed, the order of the words is
the odd-word. Choice (D) reversed in this option. Choice (B)
2. Dry, droop and shrivel can replace wither (= because 6. Radical (extreme) and moderate are antonyms, similarly
shrunken or wrinkled). Blossom (bloom) is inappropriate. revolutionary (rebellious) and conservative (moderate) are
Choice (B) not antonyms but synonyms. Epicurean (devoted to
pleasure) and extravagant (exaggerated) grotesque
3. Pinnacle, acme and prime convey the same meaning as (absurd) and massive (large and heavy) are not antonyms.
zenith (peak). Perigee, meaning the point in the orbit of the Choice (D)
moon, is inappropriate in the given context. Choice (D)
7. Death occurs in the gallows, love is felt in the heart.
4. Banter, jest, chaff and badinage indicate humorous, teasing. Choice (B)
Choice (C)
8. An edifice has a foundation. A nation has a constitution.
5. Unsnarled means not twisted. Options A, C and D convey Choice (C)
the same meaning as the word disfigure. Choice (B)
9. A botanist studies plants while a sociologist’s area of study
is society. Choice (A)
6. ‘Eclectic’ means ‘wide’ or broad–ranging while ‘unique’
means distinctive or special. Choice (C) 10. Opthalmia affects the eye while rickets is a disease that
7. ‘Hallowed’ means holy or sacred or worshipped. Choice (A) affects the bones. Choice (B)
‘famous’ means well known. Choice (A)
13. REVERSE ANALOGIES:
8. ‘Desecrated’ means treated with disrespect, violated,
vandalized or deface. 1. Despotism is a quality of a tyrant. So, among the choices
Choice (D) ‘impaired’ means lessen or weaken. only option C is not similar. Irony does not indicate a person.
Choice (D) All other choices define a person (misanthrope, traitor and
debonair). Choice (C)
9. ‘Opalescent’ means ‘many coloured’ while choice (B)
‘glorious’ means ‘wonderful’ or ‘magnificent’. The word 2. A mendicant is a beggar. So, option A is the odd pair.
‘opalescent’ deals with colours. Choice (B) Choice (A)
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3. Carpenter, butcher, farmer and surgeon use a saw, a knife,
an axe and a scalpel respectively. Option D is the answer.
Choice (D)
4. A sentence has some words just like a poem has some
verses, a forest has trees and an organ has cells.
Choice (B)
5. The young one of a cat is called a kitten. The young one of
an elephant is a calf and not a cub. Choice (D)
6. Wig is used for baldness. Options A, C and D share the same
analogy. You can’t use exercise for obesity, you need to do
it. Choice (C)
7. We retrench employees to cut cost. We cut flab to remove
excess fat. We dispose waste which we don’t need. We
prune trees to remove extra–growth. All these relate to
elimination of what is not necessary. Redressal of
grievances does not share the same relationship.
Choice (B)
8. Cricket is a sport, squash is a vegetable, cricket is also an
insect and maroon is a colour. Spout is not a container. It is
a part of a container. Choice (A)
9. Reading a map is similar to the relationship suggested in
choices A, B and C. We can’t blemish a scar. Blemish is to
cause a damage. Choice (D)
10. Absence of malice is goodness. Absence of light is darkness
and not blackhole. So that is the answer. The other three
options are similar to the one in the question.
Choice (C)
11. In the given pair, the relationship is of the type MEMBER :
GROUP. A similar relationship is there in A, B and C. Hence,
the odd-pair is option D. Choice (D)
12. A pebble is a small stone, a brook is a small stream, a rock
– a small boulder, a shrub – a small tree. The same
relationship is not there between tea and drink.
Choice (D)
13. Here option C is the odd-pair. A restaurant is not used
primarily for recreation. Choice (C)
14. Warmth is a quality of the hearth. The same relationship is
exhibited by choices B, C and D. However, Igloo is a type of
house and hence is the odd man out. Choice (A)
15. Flax is a type of fibre, not a costume. Choice (B)
14. CONFUSING WORDS:
1. (i) ‘Immanent’ means inherent (built-in, in this context),
while ‘imminent’ means expected in the near future.
(ii) ‘Ensure’ means to make sure of something, while
‘insure’ is to provide for loss.
(iii) ‘Deprived’ means lacking in something (lacking in
means, in this case), while ‘depraved’ means of low
moral standards.
(iv) ‘Crass’ means crude or disregardful of others’ feelings,
and is used to describe behaviour. ‘Cross’ means
annoyed or angry and is used to describe persons.
(v) ‘Rebuke’ means to scold harshly, while ‘rebuff’ means
to turn down or disregard help or suggestions offered.
Choice (C)
15 to 19: SENTENCE COMPLETION:
1. The word in the second blank qualifies 'manoeuvres'. It can
be electoral or political not secular or economical (in the
context of the sentence). The word in the first blank should
be bane not boon. Choice (A)
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2. Only 'negate' can fit in the second blank since the 'claim'
made is nullified by facts. Choice (C)
3. The 'strain' can be 'unprecedented' or 'tremendous'. This can
be 'baffling' or 'intimidating'. Choice (B)
4. The sentence talks about 'General Anxiety Disorder' − hence
the tension experienced cannot be understandable or
acceptable. It has to be exaggerated or unreasonable. Worrying
over 'stressful life-events' is normal (it is not a disorder), hence it
must be 'routine life-events. Choice (C)
5. Choice D can be ruled out since forsaking the match will not
lead to the dream being raised. Of the other three 'shattered'
is better than 'stumped' or 'quashed'. Choice (A)
6. The word which best describes spreading of idea or
experiences is disseminate. So, circulated and distributed
can be eliminated. Dissipated means to disappear or
disperse, which is ruled out here. For the second blank, the
word repudiate which means to disown is inappropriate.
Experience cannot be promulgated. Replicate fits in best.
Choice (C)
7. Although the first word given in the first option ‘shortage’ can
be chosen, the second word ‘potential’ is not suitable.
Scarcity and shortcoming do not fit in the first blank. Dearth
and market are apt. Choice (B)
8. Options A and C contain a combination of words which are
contradictory. A person who is ‘relegated’ or ‘uncomfortable’
can’t be working to ‘improve’ or ‘build’ the image of the
government. The word affiliated is usually followed by ‘to’
and can be ruled out. Hence, option D ‘isolated’ and
‘tarnishing’ is correct. Choice (D)
9. All the words given as options for the first blank seem
suitable. However, for the second blanks only ‘unlikely’ can
be chosen. Choice (A)
10. The first two options can be eliminated because ‘provides’
and ‘encourages’ cannot go with appetite. Between options
C and D, ‘inviting’ sight is better than ‘pleasant’ sight in the
given context. Choice (D)
20. CLOZE TEST:
1. Only anonymity, meaning a state of not being known or
recognized, can give people a sense of freedom. It is absurd
to say that animosity (hatred or dislike), anomaly (something
that departs from normal) and vicissitude (changes of
circumstances or fortune) can give people a sense of
freedom. Choice (B)
2. Small town attitudes are jettisoned (rejected, thrown away)
in a big city like Mumbai. Jettisoning small town attitudes can
give people a sense of freedom. Hence only option C is in
line with what is stated in the para. The words exacerbated
(make something worse) camouflaged (covered, concealed)
and permeated (spread throughout) are inappropriate in the
given context. Choice (C)
3. ‘Dwell on’ means spend time on or brood. Only option B is
apt in this sentence. The words endure, invest and spurn
(reject) do not make sense in this context. Choice (B)
4. The word ‘Solitude’, meaning the state of being alone gels
with the description given in the sentence. The word solace
(comfort) is inappropriate in comparison. People don’t go to
the Himalayas to seek oblivion (anonymity) or transition
(change). Hence choices B and C can be eliminated.
Choice (A)
5. The word which fits into the blank is linked to the preceding
word ‘privacy’ through the conjunction ‘and’ thereby
indicating that the two words convey the same idea. Hence
only ‘quietude’ is appropriate in the given blank. The words
trepidation (nervousness), pugnacity (quick to fight) and
subtlety (shrewdness) don’t make sense in this context.
Choice (B)
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6. Manifest means to demonstrate or show - the darkness has 6. After matching the two columns, we know that ag and be are
manifested itself. This is the most appropriate word here. the correct combinations. Considering this, we can eliminate
Declare means to announce, authenticate means to prove, choices A, C and D. Choice (B)
substantiate means to provide evidence. Choice (C)
7. The correct combinations are ah and be, and we find this
7. ‘Dark ages’ suggests moving back in time – hence regressed only in choice A. Choice (A)
(return to a former state) is apt. Denigrate (criticize unfairly),
renege (to go back on a promise) and detract (to take away 8. The correct match is ag and bh and this is given in choice A
the value of) are unsuitable in the context. Choice (A) and B. ce go together. Choice (B)

8. The imbalance is most pronounced (very noticeable). It is not
prophetic (predicting the future) or propitious (favourable) or
protracted (drawn out). Choice (D)
9. Indians have a preference (a greater liking) for the male
child. It is not a fuss (a display of excessive excitement) or
fervour (a passionate feeling) or selection (the action of
choosing). Choice (B)
10. The word ‘despite’ at the beginning of the sentence suggests
that the operation has become brazen (bold and shameless)
not troublesome (giving trouble) or reserved (slow to reveal
emotions or opinions) or insolent (rude). Choice (D)
11. Semantically, any of the four words given as options can take
the first blank. Saving the elephant seems to be at the cost
of targeting the hippopotamus is what the passage suggests.
So contextually, we can conclude that option C is the best
choice. Choice (C)
12. Nations ban trade is the correct usage, not stop. Usually, we
say there is an ‘embargo on trade’ not ‘embargo trade’,
‘sanction’ used as a verb means allow or permit. This is
illogical in this context. Choice (B)
13. The hippopotamus does not have horn, antlers or mane.
Ivory is obtained from the teeth of the hippo. Choice (A)
14. We use the word lament when we want to express a sense
of loss, and unhappiness. This word is better than all the
other words provided as options. Choice (B)
15. Expansion ultimately leads to explosion. So, expand is the
apt word. When a body decomposes, methane gas is
produced. The body does not decompose, decay or pollute
with gas. Choice (C)
21. MEANING AND USAGE TABLE:
1. The meaning implied in ‘a’ has been used in g. Hence, we
look at options A and D only. b − h is common to both these
choices. Hence, we look at c. c − e is the right combination.
Choice (A)
2. AG is the match in all the four choices and hence it can be
ignored. f can match only with c. This match is there in choice
b and d. 'Summer grinds on ….' in h suggests continuing for
a long time (d) while ,,,,, ‘a real grind’ …… in e suggests hard
work (b). Choice (B)
3. c − e is the right match. This is found in choices B and D. So
we look at the next sentence. f matches b. So choice D is the
right answer. Checking further, g matches d and
h − a go together. Choice (D)
4. The flash that blinds you can only be the flash of a camera
bulb (or lightning which is not mentioned). Hence c − e go
together. This is found only in choice B. To confirm further
we look at the other sentences. ….. catch a flash of …… in f
means a glimpse (a) …… a flash of a moment ….. in g
means very quickly (d). Finally h and b match with each
other. Choice (B)
9. af and bg are the correct combinations, so choice C is the
correct combination. Choice (C)
10. af and bh are the correct combinations and this is found in
choice D. Choice (D)
22. INCORRECT / INAPPROPRIATE USAGE:
1. In sentence C, ‘touch too loud’ is incorrect. ‘a touch’ means
slightly (a little) so, the sentence should read ‘a touch too
loud for my taste’. Choice (C)
2. The correct expression to suggest that ‘enough time has
passed’ is ‘in the course of time’ not ‘in course of time’.
‘Course’ in sentence A means direction. In sentence D,
‘course’ refers to the path a river takes. Choice (B)
3. In the first sentence ‘school’ is used as a collective noun. We
say, ‘school of dolphins’. School for dolphins is absurd.
Choice (A)
4. The phrasal verb to be used in sentence C is ‘read through’
and not ‘read up’. ‘Read through’ means to ‘read carefully’.
‘Read up’ is to ‘read a lot’ on the subject. ‘Read between the
lines’ is an idiomatic expression which means to look for a
meaning which is not openly stated. Choice (C)
5. The second sentence should read ‘due for’ release and not
‘due to’ release… ‘Due to’ means ‘because of’ which is
incorrect here. Choice (B)
6. In sentence A ‘heave’ means to haul or pull. In the second
sentence it refers to the rise and fall of the sea. In sentence
four it means to let out. In the third sentence it is
meaningless. Choice (C)
7. In the first sentence ‘inner life’ means how he feels mentally.
In the second ‘inner Paris’ refers to the central part of the
city. In the third ‘inner circle’ refers to the privileged
members. In the fourth ‘inner efforts’ in not apt.
Choice (D)
8. ‘A plastic smile’ refers to an artificial smile, ‘the plastic minds’
are the impressionable minds while being plastic is being
malleable or flexible. But there is no such usage as ‘plastic
climate’. Choice (C)
9. ‘Sales pitch’ refers to sales talks, ‘to make a pitch’ is to make
a determined effort, while ‘reserving its pitch’ refers to the
sites chosen. But you can’t coat with a pitch of gold since
pitch as a means tar or bitumen. Choice (D)
10. In sentence B ‘mean’ refers to a middle course between
extremes. In C ‘mean’ is to signify. In D, it refers to an
average. There is no such phrase as ‘men of mean’ (means
or mean birth would be appropriate). Choice (A)
23. SENTENCE WITH AN ERROR:
1. .……respite is followed by with and not from……..
Choice (D)
2. .…….different from…….. Choice (B)

5. e gels with c. This is found only in choice B. So we examine 3. ……as her sister’s (..hair). The comparison is between
it further. f matches a. g can match d only, which h Mina’s hair and her sister’s hair. Choice (D)
matches b. Choice (B)
4. …….risen considerably…….. Choice (C)
nd
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5. ……twice as much as what…. Choice (C) 10. ‘To see through something’ means to understand
somebody’s real intentions. Choice (B)
6. “……..conventional taboos…….”. Choice (B)
7. “……..blotting paper………”. Choice (B) 26. ERROR IDENTIFICATION:
DOUBLE SENTENCE TYPE:
8. “………. the…..changes that occur…….” Choice (B)
9. Replace “but also” with ‘and”. Choice (C) 1. When treated as an independent sentence, the second
sentence is incomplete. It is a sub-ordinate clause, which
10. .....engulfed is followed by with and not in……. begins with ‘because’. Choice (B)
Choice (D)
2. Both the sentences are grammatically wrong. In the first
11. ……….. an infallible. Since the word begins with a vowel it sentence, the definite article ‘the’ has to be replaced by ‘a’.
should be followed by ‘an’ because population is a singular In the second sentence, ‘struck down’ should be used and
subject. Choice (C) not ’struck off’ because a court strikes down. Besides, names
are ‘struck off’, orders are struck down. Choice (C)
12. ………. population ….... is ………... Choice (C)
3. Both sentences are grammatically correct.
13. …. not only absorb …….. but also to discharge …….. Choice (D)
Choice (D)
4. There is no error in both the sentences. Choice (D)
14. …….. resemblance is followed by to ……….
Choice (B) 5. Bombs explode when someone causes them to explode.
15. ……… who lives in Florida. The relative pronoun ‘who’ is The verb ‘explode’ does not take the passive form (were
appropriate here. Choice (D) exploded). So, sentence I is incorrect. Choice (A)

16. ………. I have lived in ……... Choice (A) 27. FILL IN THE BLANK:
17. ……… that he has no time to spare ………. or, ……….. little 1. The sentence denotes an unfulfilled condition. The given
time to spare ………….. Few is used for countable nouns, verb ‘were’ is in the past tense, so we should use ‘would
little for uncountable nouns. Choice (C) swear’ to make the sentence right. Choice (C)

24. GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT STATEMENT: 2. Choice A, B and D do not make the sentence meaningful, so
choice C is apt. Choice (C)
1. .......entrust is followed by……to. Choice (D)
3. The idiom ‘a bee in the bonnet’ means an obsession, and
2. “from the beginning to the end”. Choice (A) this is correct in the context. Choice (D)
3. “......enter into an agreement”. Choice (D) 4. ‘Nemesis’ means retributive justice. As this is meant in the
context, this is the correct choice. Choice (C)
4. “……to him or his brother” is correct. Choice (A)
5. Since the first part of the sentence says corruption is
5. Doubt is best expressed by whether. Choice (C) common, Tehelka. com (which made an issue of corruption)
is aptly described in B (to make a mountain out of a mole hill
25. REPLACING THE UNDERLINED PART: means making a lot of fuss about something trivial).
Choice (B)
1. ‘The ease with which he got through his work’ refers to the
6. Between the conjunction ‘if’ and ‘whether’ after the word
manner of working which appears to be without any strain.
ponder, whether is preferable. Although ‘if’ or ‘whether’ can
Choice (B)
be used whenever a choice is offered, verbs such as
2. The underlined words means that though we have eyes we discuss, consider, ponder and decide are usually followed by
donot observe the things in front of us. Choice (C) whether. In option B, the Prime Minister asked (reported
speech) should be followed by the verb in the past tense
3. The underlined words refer to the animals in forests and (was) conducive and not ‘is’. ‘In the name of developing
plains. Choice (D) backwardness’ in option C makes the meaning absurd. In
the fourth option ‘for the sake of” is unacceptable in the given
4. The underlined words mean having the ability or capacity. context. Choice (A)
Choice (B) 7. Sentence A is wrong because of the incorrect conjunction
‘as’ in the beginning. Inappropriate word storm ‘stuck’
5. The words ‘… being written down …’ mean being considered instead of ‘struck’ in sentence B makes it wrong. The verb
or regarded as. Choice (A) evacuated cannot be used in the active voice in the given
context. So sentence C is also incorrect. Choice (D)
6. The expression “entirely of one’s doing” mean that whatever
has happened, the person concerned has done it and he 8. Incorrect positioning of the phrase ‘as part of an international
alone is responsible for it. Choice (B) agreement’ makes the first option incorrect. “Known as
Kyoto protocol” in the concluding part refers to the
7. “Hard pressed for money” means short of money. agreement and not carbon credit coming into vogue.
Choice (D) ‘Increased awareness’ in sentence B is wrong (error in
parallelism). Besides, the omission of comma after the word
8. ‘To leave no stone unturned’ means to work very hard, to do control in A and B also make them grammatically wrong.
every possible thing. Choice (A) Sentence D is a clear distortion. Choice (C)
9. The word ‘so’ indicates a comparison. He is such a meek 9. Brahmaputra with its tributaries is a single unit. Hence
person that…..or ‘floods’, should be used to ensure subject-verb agreement.
He is such a coward that….we need a clause in place of the So, option A is the obvious choice. Option B contains an
underlined part and the replacement should also function as error in parallelism (blocking and pushes). Option C blocking
the main clause and also convey the same idea as in the has been followed by pushing, but the sense is incomplete.
original sentence. Choice (A) Option D is also an incomplete structure. Choice (A)
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10. In this question, options B and C are blatantly incorrect. 23. ‘Market’ is singular, therefore, plural verbs like ‘have’ and
(hosting long, mega carnivals thrice a month in option B and ‘are’ are ruled out. Choice (C)
positions shopping paradises in option C).
The incorrect positioning of the adverb ‘now’ makes 24. The words ‘syndrome’ in option A, ‘problem’ in option C are
option D wrong. Option A is the best choice. Choice (A) awkward. Also, China cannot start any ‘bilateral’ agreement
‘among’ other countries. Hence options A, C and D are
11. In sentence A, the word ‘together’ has been positioned incorrect. Choice (B)
incorrectly. It is used in this sentence as an adverb qualifying
the verb ‘work’ and should follow it. In sentence C, peasant 25. Options A, B and C have too definite a tone (surely, you will).
and intellectual must work for ‘their’ country, not ‘his’ country Option D is perfect because of ‘probable’ in it.
(subject – verb agreement). The expression ‘must have won’ Choice (D)
in sentence D distorts the meaning. Sentence B is
grammatically correct. Choice (B) 28. IDENTIFY THE INCORRECT SENTENCES:
1. Sentence (a) refers to more than one person. So ‘seats’ is
12. A list of articles is singular and hence has to be followed
correct, not seat. Sentence (d) contains a blatant
by ‘has been published’. So, options B and D are
error– ‘meeting deceased brother’. Choice (A)
unacceptable. In sentence C, astonished cannot be used in
the passive form. Option A is grammatically correct. 2. ‘To be made of sterner stuff’ is the correct idiom. It means to
Choice (A) have a stronger character than others while handling
problems. In sentence (c), ‘hasn’t affected her at all’ is in the
13. Omission of the article ‘an’ before idealistic makes choice A
present perfect tense. So ‘happen’ should also be used in
wrong. The absence of verb ‘is’ after idealistic in choice B
the same tense (has happened), not just ‘whatever
makes it grammatically incorrect. Positioning of the word
happened’, which is simple past. (b) and (c) are incorrect,
‘also’ in choice C alters the meaning. Choice D is correct.
making option A the answer. Choice (A)
Choice (D)
3. In this question, the errors are in sentences (b) and (c).
14. Sentences B and C distort the meaning completely and are
‘Ones’ personality’ in sentence (b) is an example of
unacceptable. Mix-up of tenses in sentence D makes it incorrect
punctuation error. The apostrophe should be before ‘s’
‘was the frequency’ is in past tense. ‘Bangladesh is now
(one’s). In sentence (d), ‘the other’ can be used if we are
mentioned’ is in present tense. Choice (A)
referring to someone specific. Since, it is a general
15. The correct option is C. In sentence A, ‘heritage sites’ which reference, ‘not another’ is appropriate. Choice (B)
are languished is incorrect, (passive form is not acceptable
4. Sentence (a) has an error in the usage of preposition. ‘Victim
here). In sentence B, ‘thanks for’ is wrong. The comma after
of political turmoil’ not ‘in’. Sentence d is incorrect because
languishing in sentence D conveys an absurd meaning and
‘flee his country’ is the correct usage not ‘flee from’.
is wrong. Choice (C)
Choice (B)
16. The conjunction ‘only’ in the second half of the sentence
5. Sentence c is incomplete and hence incorrect. ‘prohibition
suggests that a contrast is highlighted. So, option C which
gave a huge boost’ has to take an object (here bootlegging).
begins with ‘Against’ is the best choice. ‘For’ and ‘under’ are
Omission of article before bootlegger in sentence d makes it
not suitable beginnings. Besides, the ‘importing of’ in option
grammatically incorrect. Choice (D)
A is unacceptable. Choice (C)
6. We do not enter a platform, we usually reach a platform. So
17. Here, the phrasal verb ‘served up’ has to be used to convey the
sentence b is incorrect. Sentence (c) is incorrect because of
intended meaning. So, option A is eliminated. Options C and D are
the use of the conjunction ‘and’ in place of the ‘to infinitive’.
ruled out because of the incorrect usage of the word ‘help’ and the
The sentence should read ‘I had to wade through the crowd
sentence structure which reads ‘a film on his life has been featured’
to reach my compartment.’ Choice (C)
instead of ‘feature film’. Choice (B)
7. Statement (d) is incorrect. The expression ‘invade into’ his
18. Option A is the best choice because the word ‘wronged’
privacy is erroneous. He fears both “will invade his privacy”
which implies the victim is correct here. Option D is incorrect
is correct. Choice (D)
because of the inappropriate conjunction ‘only’ which distorts
the meaning. Options B and C are eliminated because of the 8. Sentence (a) is erroneous because the adverbial form is
incorrect usage of the word ‘wrong’. Choice (A) predominantly not predominant. Sentence (b) speaks of
monks (plural) and should end with ‘lives’ or it should be a
19. Option A is incorrect. The sentence refers to the past and we
modest …….. In sentence (c), monks are charged is
can’t say it ‘can involve’ as if we are talking about a person.
incorrect because the simple present tense implies it is a
‘Involving’ in sentence C is a blatant error, ‘will involve’
regular feature. ‘In recent times’ indicates that the present
makes D wrong. Choice (B)
perfect tense (have been charged) has to be used.
Choice (A)
20. The idea that Attenborough read Gandhi’s biography in 1962
and for 20 years from then (that time), he was obsessed with 9. In sentence (d), preposition ‘in’ has to be replaced by ‘on’
the idea of retelling the story has been correctly conveyed (people on the streets). Choice (B)
only in option C.
The incorrect use of since, for and from and their 10. Forts and castles are marvels (plural) that remind one and
inappropriate positioning distorts the meaning in all the other not ‘reminds’ (error in subject – verb agreement).
options. Choice (C) Choice (C)

21. The sentence conveys the idea that something sudden 29. IDENTIFY THE CORRECT SENTENCES:
happened after a lull. This idea of sudden change after a
calm is best expressed by ‘when’. Choice (B) 1. Sentence (b) is wrong because it should be ‘a philosophical
bent’ (notice ‘a quirk of personality in the next part of the
22. Option A is ruled out since 'calm' and 'frantic' cannot go sentence). In sentence (c) it should be ways of seeing since
together. In option B, 'but' is inappropriate because firmness it talks of methods, tools (plural). Sentences (a) and (d) are
need not preclude calmness. Option C is also eliminated right. Choice (C)
because 'although' implies that a proud man is incapable of 2. Sentence (a) must have the definite article ‘the’ before ‘law’.
lofty thoughts. This need not be true. Option D is the most Sentence (c) must be ‘standards’ (plural). Sentences (b) and
appropriate. Choice (D) (d) are right. Choice (D)
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3. In sentence (a), the adverb ‘actually’ must be placed
between the auxiliary and main verb – is actually under way.
In sentence (c) it should be ‘turns to’. Sentences (b) and (D)
are right. Choice (B)
4. In sentence (c), it should be ‘a broad spectrum’. In sentence
(d), it should be ‘in a number of Muslim countries….’
Sentences (a) and (b) are right. Choice (A)
5. In sentence (b), it should be ‘to save’ (parallelism requires
that two phrases or clauses having the same relationship to
the verb must have the same structure). Sentence (d) must
have ‘than’ (comparison) not instead of ; Sentences (a) and
(c) are right. Choice (D)
30. RESTATING A SENTENCE:
1. Here the original sentence is about ‘all good writing’. The
author wants to stress on C things – it comes from the heart,
is powerful, and touches the reader. These key elements are
there in the sentence in option A. Choice (A)
2. Key words in the original sentence ‘letters to
cousins’….’fiction added to mundane activities’ and the
purpose of the writer was to ‘entertain’. The essence is
captured in option A. Choice (A)
3. The idea intended in the original sentence is “most men do
not marry the kind of women they otherwise admire”. Option
C is closest to this idea. Choice (C)
4. ‘All is fair…….’ conveys the idea that the means do not
matter. Only the end result matters. Choice (D)
5. The original sentence states that gentlemanliness stems
from conscious choice and is not symptomatic of a lack of
courage. This idea is conveyed in option C. Choice (C)
6. The maximum time mentioned in the original sentence for
keeping a test tube on the Bunsen flame is ten minutes.
Option A is ruled out because it says that the test tube should
be kept on the flame for more than ten minutes. Option C
says that we should remove the test tube for just ten minutes.
Hence, the actual meaning gets distorted in this option too.
Similarly, option D talks about ‘waiting for ten minutes….’.
Option B is the answer because the main idea is conveyed
accurately. Choice (B)
7. The given sentence states that this year in the budget, more
money was allocated to the agricultural sector than to any
other sector. Only choice (3) conveys this very meaning.
Choice (C)
8. The theme of the given sentence is that we know much less
about the common cold than we know of many other
diseases. Option D conveys this very idea. Choice (D)
9. The sentence says that aluminium is a better conductor of
heat and electricity than other metals. Then the latter half
says “except silver, copper and gold”. So, it means that
silver, copper and gold are the only metals that are better
conductors of heat and electricity than aluminium. This is
what option C says. Choice (C)
10. Here, the given sentence conveys the idea that a minimum
balance savings accounts earns more interest. This is what
option A also states. Choice (A)
31. CONCISE EXPRESSION OR BEST WAY OF
WRITING OR CONFORMS TO STANDARD
ENGLISH USAGE:
1. Here, B is better than D because D gives the wrong impression of
a universal truth. B is the best because it is the assertion of a
particular person about himself. Choice (B)
2. Option C is the most concise. Choice (C)
3. Choice A is ruled out because 'to square a circle .......
productive assets' is verbose. Choice B is also ruled out
because 'anomaly of iniquitous distribution' is not concise.
Choice D does not capture the idea that is being expressed
adequately. Choice C is the best. Choice (C)
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4. Option A is the most concise way of conveying the central
idea that more has been written about the Emergency while
almost no attention has been paid to the Indian Railways
strike. Choice (A)
5. The whole idea is neatly conveyed in option B. In option C,
some key details like the name of the President, state funds
and the year are missing. Choice (B)
6. Sentence A is incorrect because of the mix-up in tenses. The
main clause (price revision has become) is in the present
perfect tense and should take a present tense verb.
‘Continued’ is in the past tense in the sub-ordinate clause.
Incorrect use of prepositions (in the higher side) in sentence
B and (over a wide band) in sentence D eliminate these
choices. Choice (C)
7. Sentence A is wrong because of the error in parallelism – to
stay ahead and carving a niche is incorrect. It should either
be ‘staying ahead and carving a niche’ or ‘to stay ahead and
carve a niche’. Improper phrasing (definition of India’s
fashion instead of Indian fashion) makes sentence B
unacceptable. The phrasal verb ‘brought about’ is used
when we refer to changes introduced. So, sentence C is also
wrong. Sentence D has no grammatical error. Besides, the
issues have been listed in the most appropriate order. The
logical flow of ideas is maintained and hence this is the best
choice. Choice (D)
8. ‘Alternatively’ is used to suggest a second choice or
possibility. ‘Alternately’ suggests two things happening one
after the other regularly. Options B and D can be eliminated
on that score. The comma positioned after alternately in
sentence C distorts the meaning. Choice (A)
9. The adverb ‘allegedly’ has been positioned at the incorrect
place in sentence B. In sentence C ‘alleged disappearance’
of tigers is inconsistent with his having a major role. In
sentence D, ‘absconding of tigers’ is an absurd idea. People
abscond, not animals. Choice (A)
10. In sentence A, the article ‘a’ is unnecessary before relatively
backward Orissa. In sentence B, the adverb ‘by far’ should
be placed after ‘as’. The deal must rank as and not ‘must be
ranked’. So, sentence C is also incorrect. Choice (D)
11. In neither …. nor construction, the verb agrees with the
subject nearest to it. Hence intends. Further, the verb ‘intend’
should be followed by ‘to’ infinitive. Choice (C)
12. ‘Despite’ means ‘inspite of’, hence it cannot be followed by
‘of’. Inspite cannot be used without ‘of’. Choice (D)
13. ‘Several of the people’ and ‘several people was’ are
incorrect. ‘Several people were’ is the correct form.
Choice (B)
14. Choice ‘B’ is wrong, as the pronoun ‘you’ is used instead of
‘yours’. Choice ‘C’ is wrong, as it is the colours that are
compared, not the watches. Choice ‘D’ is wrong as the
preposition ‘with’ is not used with ‘similar’. Hence, choice A
is the correct statement. Choice (A)
15. The cumulative conjunctions ‘as well as’, ‘and’, ‘both-and’,
‘not only-but also’ are used to join two positive ideas. In
choices A, B and C, wrong combinations of the conjunctions
are used. (both-as well as; both-also; and also) Hence,
choice D is correct. Choice (D)
32. SENTENCE ANAGRAM:
1. The last word in part b ‘serious’ can be followed by the first
word ‘attempt’ in part d. Only options C & D have this
sequence. Between c & d, only part c immediately states
what the attempt was made for. Part a which begins with the
preposition ‘with’ can be placed at the end. So choice C is
the best. Choice (C)
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2. Between part b and d, the options which begin with d can be
the answer because part d refers to the main subject
(a team of doctors). Option D which places c after d gives an
absurd meaning (one heart transplanted to four patients).
So, option B (dacb) is the answer. Choice (B)
3. In this question, the key lies in linking ba together. This link
is provided only in choice C. The sequence provided in this
option badc makes a logical sentence. Choice (C)
4. It is quite clear that bd should go together (political –dogma).
This sequence is found in options A, B and D. part a (when our
action is guided) has to be followed by part b
(either by . . . ). This can be found only in option D.
Choice (D)
5. In this question, it is clear that db (realised that she looked
familiar) and ca (not remember when or where he had seen
her) should go together. This sequencing is in options B and
D. b at the end of the sentence makes it incomplete. So,
dbca is the correct order. Choice (D)
6. Option B is ruled out because c cannot follow a. The
sentence is not complete in this case. Also b cannot come
after c. Option B is also ruled out because a cannot succeed
b. Option C will also not be the answer as b coming after c is
illogical. a follows d. Here the sentence is complete with the
subject being “the power of morality” followed by the verb,
which is followed by “of all intellectual powers”.
c precedes b. Choice (D)
7. The subject matter of the sentence is “the primary …method of
cognition : music….”. Hence, b would follow a. And what does
music do? “(It)…..offers….automatic integration of sense data
into ….meaningful entity”. Choice (C)
8. “….Competitiveness has reached a peak…” So, c would
follow a. Also, d would come after c and b would come in the
end. Choice (B)
9. The subject matter of the sentence is “The presence of
corporates bodies.” b would be the first line. a should follow
b. c would come after d. c would be the last part of the
sentence. Choice (D)
10. b cannot follow d. Hence, option A is ruled out. b cannot
precede d. Hence, option C also cannot be the answer. a
cannot follow c. Therefore, we rule out option D. “A biotech
revolution….” is the subject matter of the given sentence.
Hence, c comes first followed by b. Choice (B)
11. We cannot start the sentence with parts a, b, d because all
of them have prepositions in the beginning. ‘c’ is the
beginning part, followed by ‘d’ (‘set up’ should be followed by
‘in Tamilnadu’). The reasons for the set up are given in ‘b’
and ‘a’. b cannot be the final segment as it ends with ‘and’.
So, the order is cdba. Choice (C)
12. The subject of the sentence is part c and that is followed by
a (committee set up by…..). The phrase ‘to study’ (what ?)
leads us to d (takeover) and the ‘conclusion’ is given in b.
So, the order is cadb. Choice (C)
13. On observing the parts of the sentence and the given
choices, it is clear that a is the beginning and the word ‘busy’
in ‘a’ leads us to ‘c’. Then the subordinate clause given in b
‘that they …….’ follows and d completes the sentence. So,
the order is acbd. Though b can follow a, c cannot follow b
(shouting and demonstrating tells us about the M.Ps not how
they deliberate). Similarly d follows b
(b as the last part of the sentence sounds incomplete)
Choice (D)
14. It is clear the cd go together (when ….. decided) and ba go
together (he would never enter). Between choice A and B,
the latter is better because it gives the cause first and then
the effect. Choice (B)
15. Here bd go together (when ….. died) and ca go together
(people suspected …. pollution …). Choice (A)
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33. PARAGRAPH ANAGRAM (Type – I):
1. 'a' cannot begin the para because it begins with the word 'it'
and the word has not been explained in a, hence a is a
continuation of a previous statement. (Choice B is ruled out).
'c' cannot start the para because it begins with 'now' and
therefore does not make complete sense unless preceded by
a previous statement. Hence choice C is ruled out. Between
choices A and D, choice D seems to be more appropriate
because it begins with 'b' which gives an introduction to what
the para is about. Further 'this year' in d and 'Now' in c link the
two and they must go together. Choice (D)
2. Statement d cannot begin the para because it states that
there are other professions affiliated to conservation – this
implies that the word 'conservation' has already been
mentioned in a previous statement. Therefore choices A and
D are ruled out. Between choices B and C which begin with
a, only B is correct because in choice C there is no
connection between statements a and b. Choice (B)
3. Choice A is ruled out because there is no clear link between
'd' and 'b'. Statements 'a' and 'c' may start the paragraph, but
'c' is a better choice as it introduces the topic of stress,
whereas 'a' sounds like the continuation of a previous
statement. Hence choice C is ruled out. Between choices B
and D, D is a better option because 'a' follows, 'b' better than
'd' does. 'cb' talks about how stress used to be the disease
of people racing down the fast lane of success, and 'a'
continues in the same vein, stating that today, stress has
become much more widespread than before. 'd' is an apt
concluding statement as it deals with the likely cause of stress.
Hence choice (D) is the most appropriate. Choice (D)
4. 'b' cannot start the paragraph because of the presence of the
word 'its' which refers to something mentioned earlier. Hence
choice b is ruled out. 'd' cannot start the paragraph either
because of the word 'also' which implies that an alternative
use of the ecosystem is mentioned in a previous statement.
Hence choice d is also eliminated. Between choices A and
C, C is better since 'a' follows 'e' better than 'd' does. 'a'
elaborates on why medicinal plants are important. This is an
explanation for what is mentioned in 'e'. Hence eacbd is the
best option. Choice (C)
5. Since all answer choices start with 'b', we must choose
between 'a', 'c' and 'e' to follow 'b'. 'e' is the best option as
'fumigation' can be logically linked up to 'cleaned up' in 'b'.
Choices, C and D are eliminated. The difference between
choices A and B is in the order of 'c' and 'd'. The sequence
'adc' makes more sense because 'a' mentions the reason for
'd' and 'c' mentions the likely impact of the actions mentioned
in 'd'. Choice (B)
6. ‘a’ cannot be the opening line because of the word ‘its’ in it.
b follows d. (This in b refers to ragging becoming a norm)
Also, c is a better concluding remark than a.
Choice (D)
7. The subject matter of the passage is ‘language’ and not
‘mime’. Hence, a will be the first line. Also, d can’t come after
a. Hence, we rule out options A and B. Also, ‘this method’ (in c)
refers to mime. Hence, c should come after b.
Choice (C)
8. 'd' opens the paragraph in all four options. It is clear that both
'b' and 'c' can follow 'd'. However, 'b' should follow 'c' because
'such an approach' mentioned in 'c' refers to the militant
approach mentioned in 'c'. Hence 'dcb' is a more logical
sequence than 'dbc'. 'a' closes the paragraph. Choice (C)
9. ‘a’ cannot start the passage as the word ‘also’ indicates that
some other statement has preceded it. Hence, option A is
ruled out. Also, b can’t be the first line because of the word
‘it’ in b. a following c is awkward. Choice (D)
10. ‘a’ cannot start the passage because ‘so’ indicates a
conclusion. Hence, options A and D are ruled out. b is the
opening sentence. Option C is ruled out because a cannot
succeed d. Choice (B)
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11. The paragraph talks about the damage caused to heritage
sites by the Red Guards and not particularly about the palace
mentioned in b. So d begins the para and is followed by b.
‘Was not so lucky’ in sentence a refers to the idea of
escaping destruction in b. So dba. In sentence c, ‘the statue’,
refers to ‘the Buddha statue’ mentioned in e and the ec
sequence is clear. The fourth option dbaec is the best
choice. Choice (D)
12. In this paragraph, b can be the opening sentence, but not the
concluding sentence. As a concluding sentence, it is too
abrupt. So, choice A can, be eliminated. The “trade – off” in b
is explained in sentence d. Between a and e, it is evident that
a follows d because it introduces the ‘lobbyists’. Knowing
people on Capitol Hill is easier for a former legislator. This link
can be established best only if e follows c and not vice versa.
bdaec is the correct order. Choice (B)
13. The opening sentence is the same in all the options. ‘Mild
dose’ in d refers to the ‘herbal remedies’ mentioned in b. So
d has to follow b, which is the case in options A, B and C.
The opening sentence talks about harmony within the
system and its link with the external. Since diagnosis has to
precede remedy, e should precede b. ‘This was in keeping’
in sentence a refers to the idea of surgery being considered
a last resort in d. So, the sequencing is cebda.
Choice (C)
14. The first clue to this question lies in linking sentences d and
a. ‘one of them’ in d has to follow the ‘three sleep difficulties’
in a. This sequence is found only in option A and the solution
becomes easy. Between c and e, either can be the opening
sentence But the ad sequence in option A makes (ceadb)
the best choice. Choice (A)
15. The para is about the difference in attitudes of the Indian and
the European to clouds and d introduces this. The structure
of the first sentence makes it clear that the Indian’s attitude
has to be mentioned first. So e follows d. Cloud followed by
rain is logical. So a follows d. ‘For him’ in c refers to the
European in b. Clouds depress him and the sun is a symbol
of happiness and cheer to him. Hence, sunny smile.
Choice (D)
16. ‘But’ in a rules out a as the first statement. Hence, option A
can be rejected. Option D is also ruled out because b cannot
start the passage because of the word ‘it’ in it. Now, we need
to decide whether b should come before or after a. b would
come before a. The key indicator words are ‘originally’ in b
and ‘recent’ in a. Choice (B)
17. a cannot start the passage because of the pronoun ‘they’ in it.
Hence, option C can be rejected. c also cannot start the passage
because of the words ‘of these’ in it. b is a good opening
statement. Since b talks of two different things – science and
religion, statement d with ‘its’ cannot come after b. ‘It’ would
relate to only one thing. a can come after b because of the word
‘they’ in a. Also, ‘these’ indicates that c would come after a. The
last line would be d. Choice (D)
18. The words “it, moreover, finally” suggest that b, c or d cannot
start the passage. Hence, either C or D would be the answer.
c cannot follow a. b logically follows a. Choice (C)
19. d cannot start the passage because of ‘most of them’ in it.
Hence, option C is rejected. We have to now decide whether a
or c is better as the opening line. c seems to be better. c would
be followed by b. a would precede d. Choice (B)
20. a, b or c cannot start the passage because of the pronoun
‘he’ in a and b and the definite article “the” in c. Hence, either
B or D is the answer. b cannot follow c because dcb is an
awkward sequence. Choice (D)
21. b is the opening sentence (in all the choices) and it is
followed by d (…. ‘lengthy documents’ in b is followed by ‘All
of them ….’ in d). This is followed by c (‘Yet…’ gives the
exception to ‘All of them’) and then a (which adds one more
point to what is said in c) Choice (C)
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22. After reading all the statements quickly, we decide that ‘d’
should be the concluding statement, as it begins with
‘hence’. So, we can rule out choices A and C. Between
choices B and D, statement a is the introductory sentence as
it has the phrase ‘raises questions’ and the controversy is in
‘b’. So, the order is abcd. Choice (B)
23. c is the first sentence – from ‘a currency’ we come to ‘the
rupee’. This is followed by a – ‘the manic existence’ in c is
continued in the ‘rupee ruckus’ in a. d follows giving specific
instance of the ‘rupee ruckus’. b is the concluding statement.
Choice (C)
24. d is the opening sentence (in all the choices) and we find that c
follows it (the proverbial wisdom of d is applied to the market
place in c). a follows b – ‘do so’ in a refers to the action mentioned
in b (pour good money after bad). Choice (B)
25. The opening statement b (in all the choices) is followed by d,
‘these two views’ in d refers to ‘… short and long-term out
look’ in b. a follows d ‘this’ in a refers to the ‘dicey situation’
in d. Choice (D)
26. Only in statement c the word ‘Shangri La’ is explained
whereas in statements a and b the word is mentioned
casually. As such c is better as an opening statement. In
Choice A, which begins with c, the statements are
sequentially arranged to form a logically coherent paragraph.
Choice (A)
27. Choice A cannot be the right answer because statement a
should follow statement d because a reiterates the fact
stated in Statement d – statement d states that Africa is more
affected by global warming than other continents and this
fact is emphasized by the findings of the study mentioned in
statement a. The same reason is attributed to choice d for
not being the right answer. Between choices B and C we
must decide whether b follows c or the other way round. b
follows c because c talks of industrial pollutions that offer
protection and b says Africa not being industrialised lacks
those. Choice (C)
28. While b and a seem suitable as the opening sentence of a
para, a follows b - b ends with 'a new study shows' and a
begins 'The study ……' d follows a, the link being 'forest'.
c concludes the para. Choice (B)
29. Since ba are the opening sentences in all the choices, we
must decide on what follows. c is right − 'The reason for this
painful paradox' …… as it links the situation presented in ba
to the situation/solution in de. Choice (D)
30. c can be the opening sentence but d cannot follow it
(…. He should not stoop down …. in d cannot follow c which
says …… vices rule the world …..). b seems appropriate as
the opening sentence. Now be (in choices C and D) should be
followed by d − '…. remains in the human level' in e is followed
by 'That means …..' in d. Choice (C)
31. The words `these influences', in statement `a' indicate that
`a' is a continuation of an idea expressed in a previous
statement. `c' can begin the para and `c' should be followed
by `b' as `b' is a continuation of the idea expressed in `c'. a
follows e − the link being ‘influences’. 'They' in d stands for
'….. clarity of thought and perception' in a. Choice (B)
34. PARAGRAPH ANAGRAM (Type – II):
1. ‘a’ cannot follow 1 because there is no connecting word that
links 1 and a. Hence, options A and C are ruled out. Hence,
either B or D is the answer. However, a cannot follow c
because there is no logical connection between them. b
follows c as it talks about the stones mentioned in c. d should
follow b. a should follow d as it logically precedes 6.
Choice (D)
2. Here, the subject of 1 is the time period between 1206 A.D.
and 1526 A.D. Hence, a cannot follow 1 where the reference
is to ’dynasties’. For the same reason d too cannot come
after 1. Hence, by the method of elimination we arrive at the
SM1001941/145
 conclusion that b would come after 1. The answer would be
option A. You may do a quick check. b follows 1 because b
discusses the time period between 1206 A.D. and 1526 A.D.
In b there is reference to five dynasties that ruled. c says,
“Out of these five dynasties…”. Hence, c comes after a.
Also, d would precede 6. Choice (B)
3. ‘His’ in a refers to Gandhi. Hence, a follows 1. Also, d would
precede 6. Such a combination is present in option A.
Choice (A)
4. b would precede 6 as b refers to a device invented by Pascal
while 6 is a logical sequel to b. Only option B has a
combination with b in the end. One can read this option for
further confirmation. Also, d, a or c cannot come before 6.
Choice (B)
5. c should precede b. Look at the words, “on one occasion….”
and on yet another occasion…” Such a combination is
present in option D. Hence, we scrutinize this option further.
a can follow 1, because the subject is Gandhi. Also, the
words ‘all-pervasive” are there in b and d. Hence, d can
follow b. Choice (D)
6. After reading all the statements, we can decide that a comes
before statement 6. As per the order of the words (planning,
ingenuity, cunning) in statement a, dcb is the correct
sequence. Hence, the order is dcba. Choice (C)
7. After reading all the given statements, we know that a should
precede statement 6 (… pinball machines …. in a and ….
three shots …. in 6). b should follow d (Though he lost
money, he was in high spirits) c follows b. Hence, the order
is dbca. Choice (C)
8. c follows 1 – ‘windy and very cold’ in 1 makes you wish you
had ‘gloves and muffler’. ‘But’ in d links it to c (the alternative
he was forced to choose). The ‘brisk walk’ in d leads him to
‘the theatre half-an-hour before….’ in
b precedes 6 – ‘Hello Dolly’ is the name of the movie in
matinee show. Choice (D)
9. After reading the statements we know that a precedes
statement 6, and d follows b – d gives an example for what
is stated in b. c follows statement 1 (power is the clue).
So, the correct order is cbda. Choice (A)
10. After reading the given statements, we decide that d
precedes statement 6 and a precedes d. c follows statement
1 and b follows c, as both the statements describe the
restaurant. So, the order is cbad. Choice (C)
11. The words “more than 90% of land” in sentence d and “That
figure climbing to 100% in sentence a provide the clue to a
following d. So, option B can be eliminated on that score.
The concluding sentence talks about some factors causing
the damage (as doing the rest). This is linked to sentence b
(some damage). So, option C which puts b at the penultimate
position is right.The opening sentence talks about Spain.
Sentence c which begins with “A third of the country” follows
the opening sentence. The sequence is cdab.
Choice (C)
12. The para deals with reasons for Africa’s poverty. The idea
that West is not going to help, in the opening sentence is
followed by “It is Africa” which must force the change in c.
“The answer is” in sentence a answers the question raised
in sentence d. ‘They’ in 6 refers to Africans in b. So b
precedes 6. cdab is the correct sequence. Choice (B)
13. The opening sentence talks of a business group’s plan of
becoming a multi-activity conglomerate. This is followed by
sentence d, the wealth it is likely to generate if Mittal’s plan
succeeds. ‘Changi airport’ and “Rothschild” in sentence b
are the “world’s best names” mentioned in c. So, b follows c.
“Retail project” in a is linked to the “supermarket giant” in the
concluding sentence. The sequence is dcba.
Choice (D)
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14. The pronoun “They” in sentence b following ‘human beings”
in the opening sentence is logical. Also, b explains the
‘strange activity’ mentioned in the opening sentence. “These
texts” in sentence d following sentence b is also clear. The
reference to ‘crisis’ in sentence a is an extension of
“problematic situations” in sentence d. ‘Great deal of
scriptural activity’ in sentence c is described as being ironic
in the last sentence. The correct order is bdac.
Choice (A)
15. ‘Others call them’ in sentence a has to follow sentence b (MD
…… calls them). So ba link is clear, and based on this clue,
only option C can be eliminated. Sentence d, which conveys
the idea of the generation dealing with problems too soon
and meeting with a quarter life crisis explains why d has to
precede 6. Besides, the words “impatient aspirers” in
sentence a are linked to “way too soon” in d. So, cbad is the
correct order. Choice (B)
16. The paragraph is about a group fighting for the rights of the
Palestinians. ‘This group’ in sentence c refers to the
Palestinian campaign for Freedom and Peace which has
been introduced in the opening sentence. So c follows the
first statement. The sixth sentence beginning with the
conjunction ‘But’ gives a clue that it is linked to sentence b
(group staying away form militant outfits). ‘Involvement of
women’ in sentence c is followed by violent action not
attracting women in sentence d. So, the sequence is cdab.
Choice (A)
17. In this para, it is very clear that sentence d will be followed
by sentence b – the word ‘some’ followed by ‘others’.
Similarly, sentence a following sentence c is also logical.
Sentence c refers to ‘a study’ and sentence a specifies the
study. This order can be seen only in option C. Also note that
the sixth sentence is linked to the idea expressed in
sentence a. Choice (C)
a.
18. ‘No proper exit route’ in sentence c is linked to the ‘disaster
to’ a small entrepreneur in the opening sentence. The
pronoun ‘He’ in sentence b refers to ‘An entrepreneur in
sentence a. b follows a. So, the correct sequence in cabd.
Choice (B)
19. The words ‘suggests otherwise’ in sentence d are regarding
the impression that ‘Mao has been shelved’ in the opening
sentence. So d follows 1. Sentence c following sentence b is
clear (rough hands and clothes revealing their rural
background). Reference to ‘mausoleum’ in sentence a and
details about its location in the concluding sentence makes
a the penultimate sentence. The sequence is dbca.
Choice (A)
20. c is a continuation of the first sentence. ‘Subsequently the
growth rate halved’ in sentence d makes it clear that b has
to precede it ‘Slump’ in a is linked to ‘slide’ in the sixth
sentence. So, the correct order in cbda. Choice (D)
21. ‘a’ would follow 1 and d would precede 6. c has another
example, while b has the first example (of Arjuna
Ranatunga). Choice (D)
22. ‘b’ follows ‘1’ because it gives an example of the “best efforts
to be good-looking” – mentioned in ‘1’. It is followed by ‘a’.
The key words are “Later I came to understand ….”. Also ‘c’
precedes ‘6’. Hence (D) is the appropriate choice.
Choice (D)
35. PARAGRAPH WITH A MISSING SENTENCE:
1. The tone of the paragraph is optimistic throughout. Hence
choice B that talks of auguring well fits well. All the other
options are pessimistic, which is not in keeping with the
paragraph. Choice (B)
2. Since the paragraph begins by saying you are the architect
of your own future, the concluding line has to reinforce this.
Both choices C and D appear to be suitable. But if we look
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 at the sentence before the blank it talks of preparation for the
future. Hence choice D, which also talks of preparation and
carries the idea forward, is the most suitable.
Choice (D)
3. The paragraph talks of the old and the new coexisting side
by side. Choice C also has this idea and hence is most
appropriate to end the para with. Choice D can be ruled out
because it suggests that the new sticks out awkwardly.
Choice (C)
4. The paragraph begins with a ‘breakthrough’ and goes on to
explain what it is. Choice B can be ruled out because it is too
certain in tone. Choice C is appropriate. Choice (C)
36. ODD MAN OUT:
1. ‘Lawyer’ is the odd man out. The others watch the
proceedings and can give a verdict. Choice (D)
2. Reading, spelling and speaking are language abilities,
whereas ‘counting’ deals with numerical ability.
Choice (C)
3. ‘Coliseum’ is an arena where sports events are held. The
others are places of worship. Choice (D)
4. The process of saturation does not involve change of state
from one form to the other (liquid, gas, or solid).
Choice (C)
5. Slip, skid and trip are actions which are accidental. ‘Skip’ is
intentional. Choice (C)
6. Breathing is an involuntary action. The others are voluntary.
Choice (D)
7. While the others are winds, ‘Tsunami’ is a tidal wave.
Choice (B)
8. Volleyball, Soccer and football are played with a ball only.
Baseball is played with a bat and a ball. Choice (C)
9. While the other three are machines or gadgets ‘electricity’ is
a form of energy. Choice (D)
10. Afforestation is the odd man. The others highlight threats to
the environment. Choice (B)
37. BEST SUMMARY
1. The extract talks about the
(1) factors which are tourist attractions (cultural heritage
and beach resorts).
(2) how tourism helps local art and craft industry and
promoters access to global culture.
(3) threat tourism poses to local culture and environment.
All these points have been covered best in option B and
hence is the best choice. Thailand has been cited as an
example and should not be included in a summary. So,
option A is eliminated. Option C has mentioned tropical
climate as a tourist attraction. This is a distortion.
Besides, it has omitted the threat to culture. Option D
has not specified beach resorts and the craft industry.
Choice (B)
2. The first option is not suitable, because ‘ironically’ conveys
an opinion which is not part of the original extract. Peace and
happiness are examples and can be omitted. The last
sentence of option B is an empty statement conveying no
idea. Between C and D, D is more concise and is preferred.
Choice (D)
3. Options C and D distort the ideas. In option C “when a
fashion becomes outdated it is a fad”. is a distortion.
Fashions do not get replaced by fads as stated in option D.
Option A has omitted the idea that fashion includes
behaviour. It also fails to mention that fashion keeps
changing. Option B is the best answer. Choice (B)
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4. The main points in this extract are (1) Charlie Chaplin’s
portrayal of tramp and its universal appeal (2) qualities of the
tramp (3) Chaplin’s skill in miming and (4) language being no
barrier. All these have been effectively conveyed in option C.
Option D has omitted the ‘tramp’. Option B – the last
sentence is a distortion. Option A is not brief.
Choice (C)
5. All the options other than option A are distorted. Democracy
fails due to intelligence failure, is the distortion in option B. It
‘is the perfect form of government’ is the distortion in option
C, and the last sentence is a distortion in option D. Option A
is correct and concise. Choice (A)
6. The last sentence in option A which states that God-like
qualities neutralize the devil is a distortion. Choice C omits
the idea of the god-like and the devil-like qualities in man.
Choice D lists out the ideals which man has held dear. This
is not done in a summary. Besides the last sentence here is
also a distortion. Choice B captures all the ideas in the text
in the most concise manner. These include
(1) Man’s spirit of sacrifice to uphold ideals.
(2) This spirit making up for all his failings.
(3) His challenging Nature, despite his limitations.
(4) The divine and the devil in him. Choice (B)
7. The main ideas in this extract are
(1) Change in people’s attitude to jobs.
(2) Companies adopting new recruitment procedures.
(3) Shift from the ‘life time’ to the contractual model.
(4) use of scientific testing tools and competency-based
interviews.
All these points have been covered only in option 4 without
any distortion. Option A and C seem to suggest that written
tests and interviews are no longer in use. The extract talks
about making the test and interview more scientific and
comprehensive. Option B is incorrect because the passage
does not talk about employees’ preference for contractual
jobs. It states that employers are shifting the model. Hence,
option D is the best choice. Choice (D)
8. In this question, note that there is a hypothetical situation
presented. In a summary, the details of the hypothesis
should not be mentioned. On that score, option D can be
eliminated. Options B and C convey the idea that god did not
intend to have a perfect world. The passage only states that
god intended to introduce the suspense element in
everyone’s life. Option A is the correct choice.
Choice (A)
9. The last sentence in option A covers only a partial idea of
what researchers claim about tea. We cannot conclude that
tea drinking originated in Asia from the facts provided.
So, option B is also eliminated. Option D fails to mention
Europe. Choice C is the best choice. Choice (C)
10. The ideal habitat for elephants has not been mentioned in
option A. Both options B and C are distorted. All elephants
other than Terrai Bhabhar live in vast forest lands is not true.
Biologists have not called for measures to save the elephant
as stated in option C. Option D is the best choice.
Choice (D)
38. FACTS, INFERENCE AND JUDGMENT:
1. (a) is a fact because it can be proved.
(b) is somebody’s opinion.
(c) This too can be ascertained and hence is a fact.
(d) is a statement which is of ‘CAUSE and EFFECT’ type.
If this (cause)….. then this (effect). d is an inference.
Choice (A)
2. (a) is a verifiable fact.
(b) There was a loss (cause) and it could be in billions of
rupees (inference).
(c) This is the opinion of a person (personal judgement).
(d) This again is a scientific fact. Choice (B)
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3. (a) is the judgement of a person. It is how he feels.
(b) Anyone can verify this statement. Hence, it is a fact.
(c) One can find out whether industries are also being
subjected to powercuts or not. This can be verified.
Hence, this statement is also a fact.
(d) If X happens then the effect will be Y. Hence, the given
statement is an inference. Choice (C)
4. (a) Ascertainable fact.
(b) If “objects lie scattered” there may have been
“a struggle preceding the murder”. Hence, inference.
(c) is the author’s personal opinion. Hence, judgement.
(d) (If) the safe was broken (then) the motive could
be……… inference. Choice (C)
5. (a) Ascertainable fact (one can find out whether this is right
or wrong).
(b) Author’s perception (Judgement).
(c) More workload, little social life (Inference).
(d) This is again the author’s opinion. (somebody else may
disagree). Hence this statement is a judgement.
Choice (D)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 1
1. ‘Bucolic’ means connected with country or village life and the
word that means the same is ‘rustic’. Choice (C)
2. While some dictionaries provide the meaning as choice (A),
other provide it as choice (D). Choice (A) is closest in
meaning to the original French phrase, while choice (D) is
the way the phrase is normally used in modern day English,
in the context of economic policy. Choice (A)
3. ‘Gridlocked’ in the context means becoming powerless to act
in a way that the E.U likes to. The word that means the same
is ‘straitjacketed’. Choice (B)
4. The word that can replace the given phrase is ‘laconic’,
‘prolix’ and ‘voluble’ mean wordy and ‘succinct’ means
expressed clearly and in a few words, hence it has a positive
connotation. Choice (A)
5. ‘Precipitate’ means to make something happen faster and
the opposite would be ‘retard’. If something retards a process
or the development of something, it makes it happen at a
slower pace. Choice (B)
6. The antonymous pair is b – d. Pliant means easy to influence
or convince while ‘obstinate’ means difficult to convince.
Choice (D)
7. The idiom ‘pull oneself by the bootstraps’ means to improve
one’s position by one’s efforts. Choice (B)
8. The word ‘matter’ can be used in all 4 sentences.
4 times
9. ‘Promulgate’ means to spread an idea widely. The word that
can substitute it is ‘promote’. Choice (C)
10. The fact that capuchins manage to find ways to live in almost
any kind of habitat shows that they are adaptable (ability to
adjust to changing conditions). Choice (B)
11. The word ‘terminal’ means certain to come to an end. The
word that cannot replace it is ‘lethal’ which means ‘able to
cause death’. The decline is not causing danger, rather it is
the habitat which is causing the decline. The remaining
words can replace terminal. Choice (D)
12. The word that can go with all the four words is ‘party’. ‘Party
favours’ means small gifts given to children at a party; ‘party
line’ refers to the official opinions and policies of a political
party; ‘party spirit’ refers to the sort of mood in which you can
enjoy a party and someone’s ‘party piece’ is something that
they often do to entertain people at parties, for example
singing a particular song. etc. Choice (D)
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13. ‘Obfuscation’ is lack of clarity. All the pairs except Proclivity:
Penchant share an antonymous relationship as the
capitalized pair of words. ‘Proclivity’ is the tendency to
behave in a particular way or to like a particular thing and
‘penchant’ also means having a special liking for something
or a tendency to do something. Choice (B)
14. The words that can fit into the first blank are proxy, substitute
and surrogate; betrayal cannot go into the blank because it
means the act of cheating. And the word that can go into the
second blank is entrenched (deep-rooted). ‘Inveterate’ is
ruled out because it often goes with habits or feelings and
not symbols. ‘Cantonal’ means regional; hence ruled out.
Choice (B)
15. The words ‘foreign invaders conquered and successively
ruled’ and ‘while’ indicate that the blank requires an
equivalent of ‘ruled by the natives’, which is ‘indigenous’.
Inborn means “existing from birth” – it is generally used for
natural qualities.
The Inherent qualities of something are the necessary and
natural parts of it. ‘Intrinsic’ means belonging naturally,
essential. Hence (B), (C), and (D) do not suit the above
context. Choice (A)
16. ‘Dominated’ goes into the blank as it means “having a
commanding or controlling influence over”
To ‘tyrannise’ is to use power over someone, to threaten
them cruelly or unfairly.
To ‘overrule‘ means to officially decide that a decision is
incorrect. It is generally done by someone in authority.
To ‘bully’ is to frighten or intimidate Hence (B), (C), and (D)
do not suit the above context. Choice (A)
17. Passive goes into the third blank as it means “accepting or
allowing what happens without active response resistance.”
‘untouched’ means unaffected ‘unstirred’ also means
unmoved .
‘docile’ means ‘ready to accept control’, but is generally used
for living things. Hence (A), (B), and (C) do not suit the above
context. Choice (D)
18. The word ‘repeat’ is wrongly used in Choice (B). It should
be….. repeat after her…. that means to say what she has
said. Choice (B)
19. Explanation
In 1 'seemed' is appropriate since the sentence is about the
way someone feels. 'Appeared' is used when we wish to
present what someone understands. In 2 'stirring' is
appropriate since the context indicates (using the words
sleepiest of sleepy) that there was not even the slightest
movement. In 3, things are 'faint' in visibility, not 'light'. In 4,
a bird floating on lazy wing is one that is staying aloft by
gliding, wings widespread but motionless. In 5 'but' is
appropriate. We use 'but for' in the sense of reason
presented.
Thus 'abbab'. Choice (B)
20. ‘So’ is followed by ‘that’ and not ‘so’.
‘too’ is not followed by ‘that’ and the same is the case with
‘very’. Choice (C)
21. There are errors in both the sentences.
Ι. make fun ‘of’ someone and not ‘at’ someone.
ΙΙ. Japanese should be preceded by ‘the’. The reference
is to the natives of a particular country.
Choice (C)
22. Option (D) is the best as there are errors in the rest of the
options
(A) the article ‘a’ is missing before ‘devotee’
(B) the adverb ‘incessantly’ should be placed after the
object.
(C) definite article ‘the’ should be placed before ‘Almighty’
as it refers to something that is unique.
Choice (D)
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23. There are errors in
(b) ‘beneficial ‘to’ mankind’ and not ‘for’ mankind.
’Beneficial to’ and beneficial for’ are used as follows:
Exercise is beneficial to you.
Exercise is beneficial to your health.
(d) ‘is’ should follow ‘suffering’. Choice (B)
24. Explanation
Line a has no error.
In line b the adverb 'diligently' is wrongly placed. It obstructs
the continuity of the thought "...train ourselves to lie
judiciously...". 'Diligently' should be placed before 'train'.
Line c has no error.
In line d the auxiliary verb 'will' is wrongly placed. Since the
statement specifies a pre-requisite (only then), it should read
"...only then will we be worthy dwellers...".
Line e has an error. It needs a comma after 'lies', since the
following portion represents additional information (of
exception to the habit).
The corrected sentences are:
"Therefore, the wise thing is for us to diligently train
ourselves to lie judiciously; ......"
"Only then will we be worthy dwellers ...."
"....where even benign Nature habitually lies, except
when....". Choice (C)
25. Option (C) expresses the idea clearly and briefly.
Option (B) is unnecessarily elaborate. Option (D) does not
provide all the points clearly. It is superficial.
Option (A) is very close to option (C), but is not as concise.
Choice (C)
26. (c) is the beginning of the sentence as it introduces the
idea/view.
(a) follows as the word “would be taking a long
step”…….is a logical connection.
(d) and (b) follow.
(b) has a concluding tone.
Hence cadb Choice (C)
27. (b) is the opening statement as it introduces the topic.
(d) takes the idea of ‘attacks via web’ forward and
explains how it happens.
(a) follows as the term ‘malicious’ that is used in (d) is
explained here.
(c) gives more insight into the topic by providing more
details.
(e) ‘These’ devices clearly refers to ‘laptops and mobile
devices’ mentioned in (c)
Hence bdace Choice (C)
28. The option that best concludes the paragraph is option (C).
Option (A) takes the idea forward but doesn’t conclude, even
though it seems like a conclusion.
Option (B) strengthens the idea that light is harmful to
animals but it does not conclude the para.
Option (D) talks about advancements which are related to
the issue being discussed. It does not conclude the
paragraph.
Option (C) has a concluding tone and is in line with ‘. . . grave
. . . environmental threat . . .’. Choice (C)
29. The paragraph, appropriately sequenced is as follows:
(D) The tortoise is a ground-living creature that lives as
close as possible to the ground without being under it.
(A) It has about as good a turn of speed as a creature
needs to hunt down a lettuce.
(C) It has survived while the rest of evolution flowed past it
by being, on the whole, no threat to anyone and too
much trouble to eat.
We need (D) since it presents the primary subject, the
tortoise. (A) follows by telling us about its very slow pace in
movement and this is the reason that it poses no threat to
anyone, the thought in (C).
The statement that is to be omitted is (B): "Its horizons are a
few inches away". While this does tell us something about
the tortoise, it does not contribute to the purpose of the
paragraph. Choice (B)
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30. The essence of the text is best encapsulated in choice (B)
option (A) provides an example because of which it is not as
concise, option (C) talks about the same thing as option (B)
but the word ‘imposed’ means forcing on something and
hence it does not go with the word ‘unconsciously’. Also, ‘our
past experiences tend to ….’ is a repetition of the first
sentence and hence there is also a problem of redundancy
in option (C) Choice (B)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 2
Explanatory notes for questions 1 to 10:
1. The pronoun 'they' in ‘A’ and the opening words - 'on the
other hand' and 'on the one hand' of sentences ‘C’ and ‘D’,
respectively, suggest that statements ‘A’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ cannot
open the paragraph. ‘B’ is the only sentence that can open
the paragraph. Ans : BDCA
2. The words 'the atrocities', 'the all-Dalit village', 'the caste
related clashes' are the references to 'black chapter' and 'a
remote village' mentioned in ‘C’. Hence the opening
sentence is ‘C’ not ‘B’. 'It' in D refers to the ‘writ petition’
mentioned in A. Hence CBAD is appropriate.
Ans : CBAD
3. Sentence E introduces us to the idea of technological
progress and economic growth. The result of this is given in
Sentence A. The effects of this growth are given in
sentences B and C. Sentence D concludes the passage.
While B could draw attention as a possible opening
sentence, B and A have no link. Ans : EABCD
4. B can be the opening statement. A can follow B because the
theme remains ‘Russia’ and the ‘space programs’. Also, the
idea of the collapse of the Soviet Union is further explained
in D. Hence, D comes after A and C follows D. Hence BADC
is the logical sequence. Ans : BADC
5. Statements C and D go together, because the ‘them’ in D
refers to the Britons who are not going out and spending
money. D and B go together because both of them deal with
the government’s take on the situation. A is the concluding
sentence. Hence CDBA is the correct sequence.
Ans : CDBA
6. In E, the word ‘they’ refers to people. Hence, B which is the
first sentence of the paragraph showed precede E. The idea
of moving slowly is further explained in C. A is a perfect
sequel to C. And D can be the closing statement. Therefore
BECAD is the appropriate sequence. Ans : BEACD
7. A is the opening statement since it mentions an event that is
discussed in the other sentences. C follows A – ‘it’ in C refers
to the broken arm in A. E explains the effect of the injury. D
further explains it and B is a good closing statement. The
appropriate sequence is ACEDB. Ans : ACEDB
8. It is only statement ‘C’ that begins the passage by discussing
'Eco-tourism industry' in India. The possessive pronoun 'its' in
D refers to the 'Eco-tourism' of ‘C’ and so D follows C. A,
which explains why its track record is low, follows D. E
carries forward the idea. The demonstrative pronoun 'this' in
‘B’ refers to the percentage mentioned in ‘E’. Hence B is a
continuation of E. Ans : CDAEB
9. Sentence ‘C’ which speaks of the 'rich variety of wetland
habitats' introduces the topic. Statement B which refers to
the total area of wetlands follows C. The words “realising the
importance” in A continues the idea further. Hence CBA go
together. Further, ED goes together. Ans : CBAED
10. ‘B’ is the most appropriate opening statement, since it
presents an analysis of presidential and cabinet systems of
government. The words ‘To begin with’ suggest that C follows
B. A continues the idea further. ‘Unlike this’ in E suggests that
E follows and finally D concludes. Ans : BCAED
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Explanatory notes for questions 11 to 13:
11. One way of explaining a scientific term is to start with the
‘known’ or ‘familiar’ and move on to the’ unknown’ or
‘unfamiliar’ . The passage begins by introducing cloning as
‘making identical copy.....,’ a simple concept that the reader
may know. Then the concept is further explained: ‘Clones
are exact replica....’ This idea is further explained in the next
sentence: ‘they represent a population of genetically
identical organism...’ A more unknown area is dealt with in
the next sentence: ‘this term is also applied to a population
of viruses...’ And in conclusion, the ability to clone DNA ......is
an important technique…. Choice (C)
12. The paragraph opens by mentioning the lessons to be drawn
from Steve Jobs. The next sentence adds to what is stated
in the first sentence: he asked a question expecting a
particular answer. The next sentence states the reply. The
sentence that follows further explains the reply. The last
sentence is the concluding comment from the author:
business schools will be studying the significance of his
accomplishment. Choice (A)
13. d begins the passage and it talks of a present condition. It
states that man has been ‘mutilated’. How? We go back to
the past to statement (a). The past tense ‘believed’ in (a) and
‘was considered’ in c sum up the consequence mentioned in
(e). We now come back to the present and the end result is
mentioned in (b) and it is the concluding statement. So the
right order is daceb. Choice (B)
Explanatory notes for questions 14 to 18:
14. From the choices either ‘d’ or ‘b’ may follow statement 1. ‘d’
fails to follow 1 logically. Hence choices (A) and (D) can be
ruled out. The words "a late spring night" in statement 1 finds
a continuation in ‘b’. a follows describing the scene further.
Hence badc Choice (C)
15. Indeed it is ‘c’ alone that elaborates on the words 'the
watchword in Singapore’ found in the opening sentence.
Moreover 'the findings' (of ‘d’) are the result of an 'action
committee' referred to in ‘b’. Hence ‘d’ should follow ‘b’. But
in choices (A) and (B), ‘d’ follows ‘c’ and ‘d’ cannot be the
continuation of the opening sentence. Hence cabd.
Choice (D)
16. As there is no reference to 'most of the mines' of ‘a’ in the
opening sentence, it cannot be the continuation of statement
1. ‘b’ is fit to be the second sentence as it focuses 'mining'
as one of the reasons for the threats to tiger, in continuation
to the first sentence. Then ‘c’ explains why 'mines' have
become a threat and ‘a’ and d elaborate on it. Hence bcad
Choice (C)
17. Though d and a seem to be the continuation of the opening
sentence at first glance, Choice A can be ruled out statement
‘c’ cannot fit in follow B, because neither can it follow d
(Choice C). For, in choice (A), b says that 'a few
announcements are implemented ….. then c which follows b,
says that the country looks forward to the budget speech of
the Finance Minister. It is the minister who has to announce,
so minister cannot follow the announcements. So also in (C),
statement d which speaks of the 'sops for weaker sections',
and 'concessions in income tax' should follow the Finance
Minister's speech in (C). It is the minister who announces the
concessions or anything. Indeed, the opening words,
'Followed by a pre-budget economic survey' refer to the 'lot
of hype ….. presentation'. Then between (B) and (D), which
start with ‘c’, answer Choice (D) is apt as the last sentence
(6) of the passage refers to the 'announcements' talked
about in statement b which is the last sentence in the
sequence in (D). Choice (D)
18. ‘b’ cannot follow ‘1' because there is nothing in ‘1’ to connect
with the word ‘Then'. ‘d’ justifies what is stated in ‘1', thus ‘d’
should follow ‘1'. ‘b’ connects with ‘Then', by elaborating
further. ‘a’ then states a fact and ‘c’ connects with the word
‘But'. Thus choice C is the answer. Choice (C)
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Explanatory notes for questions 19 to 25:
19. Clearly, C opens the author's discussion on what he dislikes.
Now, 'this' in A refers to 'others' lack of planning' in C.
Similarly, 'this' in D also refers to the same. So we have a
logical sequence in CAD. B talks about 'Indian time' which
may not necessarily refer to 'lack of planning and so is the
odd one out. Choice (B)
20. The topic of the passage is the fact that football produces
saints sometimes with the example of Manna. This means
that A, C and D are linked. D introduces the contrasting fact.
C brings in the main point. A concludes the discussion. B
which makes a general irrelevant statement about football is
the odd one out. Choice (B)
21. Clearly, the para is about why Romney triumphed over his
rivals. This is introduced in B. A explains that and D presents
a contrast to that. C, by talking about 'blaming',
becomes the odd one as the discussion is about taking
credit. Choice (C)
22. Clearly, A follows D ('but' connects then). B concludes the
discussion. C, with an irrelevant idea is the odd one.
Choice (A)
23. The topic is 'silly books on Success'. Clearly, BAC is the
logical link. D makes a general statement about success
which is irrelevant to the topic. Choice (D)
24. Options B, C and D are about India’s relations with China,
but option A talks about India’s intervention in Maldives.
Choice (A)
25. Options B, C and D are about coaching given to employees
and executives and how it is taken by them. But option A
talks about its evaluation. Choice (A)
Explanatory notes for questions 26 to 35:
26. Statement D beings the paragraph by introducing the topic
on which the paragraph is based – Aditya - 11 the Indian sun
mission due after three years. Statement B follows D by
stating a condition that the said mission would be possible
only if the Advisory Committee on Space Sciences, has its
way. Statement E follows B by stating that discussions to this
effect are under way. Statement A follows E by further
describing Aditya and mentions the brain behind conceiving
and designing it. Hence statements DBEA form a sequence.
Statement C can begin another paragraph but it does not
form a logical sequence with DBEA. Ans : (C)
27. Statement A begins the paragraph by speaking about the
avalanche on the Siachen glacier which buried ten soldiers
of the Indian army. ‘This was not an isolated incident’, in C
refers to the incident mentioned in A. Hence C follows A. E
corroborates what is stated in C by citing the instance of
another tragic incident. Statement D sums up what is stated
in ACE by stating that avalanches are equally dangerous to
both Indian and Pakistan troops. Hence ACED form a
sequence. Statement B which speaks about demilitarizing
the glacier, does not form a part of this sequence and is
therefore the odd man out. Ans : (B)
28. Statement B, which begins the paragraph with what
Mahatma Gandhi opined about the Indian cities, introduces
us to main idea on which the paragraph is based. Statement
D follows B by describing about the squalid urban
landscapes of the 21st century. ‘Since then’ in
D refers to the situation a century ago during the time of
Mahatma Gandhi. Statement A is a continuation of D
and C carries forward what is stated in D. Hence
BDAC is the logical sequence. E which brings in another idea
– environmental governance is the odd one out.
Ans : (E)
29. Statement E states the main topic – i.e. the Munich
agreement which is intended to end hostilities in Syria.
Statement C follows E by pointing to the indifference which
the World displayed, for many years, to the war situation in
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 Syria. A and D, in that order, bring out the gravity of the
situation in Syria. Hence ECAD is a sequence, Statement B
could start another paragraph but does not form a sequence
with ECAD. Ans : (B)
30. Statement B begins the para by stating how the sky was
being observed with optical telescopes, during the time of
Galileo. E follows B by mentioning the different wavelengths
of the electromagnetic spectrum which were a result of the
advances in technology. A carries forward the paragraph by
talking about other advancements which enabled scientists
to gain new insights into the working of the universe.
Statement D concludes by mentioning about neutrinos which
have been discovered in the last few decades. Hence BEAD
make a paragraph. Statement C does not form a part of this
sequence. Ans : (C)
31. Statement D brings out the main idea i.e. the double
standards faced by men and women. ‘This’ in B refers to the
double standards mentioned in D, hence B follows D.
Statements A and E, in that order, go on to explain how the
double standards show up in language. Therefore DBAE
form a logically coherent paragraph. Statement C which
brings in another idea is the odd man out. Ans : (C)
32. Statement A opens the paragraph by mentioning a well
known fact. C, which states how alcohol destroys the liver of
habitual drinkers is a mystery, presents a contrast with what
is stated in A, E is a continuation of C. B follows C by stating
that there is another cause for liver damage. Statement D,
which does not form a part of the sequence ACEB, is the odd
man out. Ans : (D)
33. Statement C, which gives an introduction to the subsequent
sentences, is the opening sentence. Statement B follows C
by describing the present situation, stating that now things
are not as bad (as they were in the 1940s) but Los Angeles
is still the worst city in the U.S. with reference to pollution.
Hence C and B form a pair. Statement E follows B by
corroborating what is stated in B as it describes the situation
in the southern part of the state. A follows E as it is an
extension of what is stated in A. Hence statements CBEA
form a logical sequence. Statement D which brings in
another idea is clearly the odd man out. Ans : (D)
34. Only statement A can begin the paragraph as each of the
other sentences have to be preceded by another sentence.
Statement D follows A by giving the reason why Sri Lanka
seems to be sitting pretty. Statement C carries forward what
is stated in D. Statement E follows C by giving one more
reason why Sri Lanka seems to be sitting pretty. Therefore
statements ADCE form a paragraph. Statement B which
presents an idea which totally contradicts what is stated in
ADCE is the odd man out. Ans : (B)
35. Statement C talks about the genes, which most of us have,
that make us as hardy as dandelions. Statement A follows C
as it carries forward the same idea by comparing a few
people to orchids. ‘So holds a provocative theory of genetics’
in B, throws light on what has been discussed in C and A.
Statement E explains the ‘adaptability and evolutionary
success discussed in B, by giving the example of orchid
children, who, with the right environment and good parenting
can become successful and happy people. Hence
statements CABE form a logically coherent paragraph and
statement D talks about something which is entirely different
from what is being discussed in CABE. Therefore D is the
odd sentence. Ans : (D)
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Explanatory notes for questions 1 and 2:
1. The paragraph narrates an incident. Statement c begins the
narrative. Statement a comes next in the sequence as it
carries forward the narrative. ‘Their suggestions’ in b refers
to the suggestions which people made. Hence b is a
continuation of a. ‘them’ in d refers to the suggestion made
by people. e is a continuation of d. Hence cabde is the logical
sequence. Choice (D)
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2. Only statement (b) can begin the para and it mentions “two
reforms” which are detailed in (d) and (a) respectively. What
happens if rural areas are supplied power at night? This is
mentioned in statements (e) and (c) in that order. The
practice in (e) is the result of ‘a notion’ in (a). Also price-
realization by the farmer is the last step leading to place (c)
as the conclusion. Choice (A)
Explanatory notes for question 3:
3. B holes being revealed is unlikely to begin the paragraph,
given that the cause for the craters have to be discussed first
as in D. EA makes a mandatory pair of the drunk and the
sober. D describes the current scenario in Chicago. BC also
makes a mandatory pair with discussions of budgets and
states with and without money. Ans : EADBC
Explanatory notes for question 4:
4. Options A, C and D talk about the effects of receding glaciers
and a step taken to counter one of them while option B is not
directly connected to that topic. It talks about deforestation.
Choice (B)
Explanatory notes for question 5:
5. Statement C which sets the tone of the paragraph is ideally
the opening sentence. Statement E which explains how
Africa, captures the romance of the early days of flight is a
continuation of E. Statements D and B, in that order, give
examples of the charming anachronisms discussed in E.
Hence statements CEDB form a logically coherent
paragraph. Statement A, which speaks about airlines flying
new routes, does not form a sequence with CEDB and is
therefore the odd man out. Ans : (A)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 3
Explanatory notes for questions 1 to 35:
1. Choice (C) is the most appropriate as the concluding
statement because it sums up the para. The first three
sentences state that industrial societies are obsessed with
economic growth because they think it is a sign of progress
and they believe that globalization is an effective way to achieve
economic growth. Hence mass production and mass
transportation of food has become a normal practice.
Therefore choice (C) is the most logical when compared to
the other options. Choice (C)
2. Option (A) is the most appropriate statement to follow the
second statement because the second statement states that
the inefficiency of modern industry surpasses one’s ordinary
powers of imagination, and Choice (A), which says
“therefore the inefficiency of modern industry remains
unnoticed”, sums up the para. The remaining options are not
related. Choice (A)
3. The sentences which precede the blank show that modern
communication techniques made communication easier and
helped in developing relationships that do not require face-to-
face contact. Choice (B) sums up the paragraph by saying that
community is being stretched over a wider area, thanks to
modern communication techniques. The remaining options
are not proper concluding statements. Choice (B)
4. The sentence which precedes the blank states that employers
favour long working hours. The sentence which follows the
blank states that long working hours have a detrimental effect
on employees. Option (B) which says that employees may not
work with required concentration due to the long working
hours, ideally follows the second statement and precedes the
last statement which says that employees find it difficult to
maintain a work-life balance due to long working hours.
Although option (A) may follow the second statement, it cannot
logically precede the last statement and thus does not serve
as a proper link between the two statements. The remaining
options are not connected. Choice (B)
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5. The first sentence points out to the increasing focus on well-
being and longevity in India, the subsequent sentences
illustrate this with examples. Choice (C) sums up the para by
saying that these signs point to a society that is growing
healthier by the day. The remaining options are not related.
Choice (C)
6. The significant idea here is that of 'paradoxical questions'
followed by : (a colon), towards the end of the paragraph.
One of these questions is in place, and would therefore be
followed by another - paradoxical, at that. (A) is inappropriate
because neither is it paradoxical, nor is it in tune with the
earlier thought that writers put in 'immense effort' to help the
readers 'have access'. (B) is inappropriate because it is not
a paradoxical question. (C) is appropriate – here's the
paradox – in trying to convey what their imagination and
creative impulse have generated, are writers actually failing
('betraying') these elements? (D) is inappropriate as this is
not in tune with the earlier thought, that indicates that writers
really want to make the connections with the readers.
Choice (C)
7. The significant words here are 'those individuals that
survive....', which implies that those not included in the
thought of this sentence, do not survive.
(A) which talks of surviving, one way or the other is not
appropriate. (B) is appropriate – refers to the extinction
of those not included in the previous thought. (C) is
inappropriate for the same reason.
(D) is inappropriate because the paragraph does not
evaluate or compare species on their chances of
survival, it only lays down a very basic difference
between those that suvive and those that don't.
Choice (B)
8. The paragraph focuses on the sense of illusion that glamour
exudes and points to the requirement to sustain the illusion
– mystery. The paragraph would best conclude with a
continuation from the idea of mystery – how it is brought
about, or what role it plays. (A) is inappropriate because it
explains glamour in the aspect of the focus it draws, rather
than its mystery. (B) is inappropriate as there would need to
be an intermediate thought to explain how mystery
contributes to amelioration. (C) is inappropriate – also needs
an intermediate thought to explain how mystery contributes
to pleasure or inspiration. (D) is appropriate because it
explains what contributes to the sense of mystery, and how
this this impacts on the viewer. Choice (D)
9. The theme of the paragraph is that corruption in Russia has
brought the public to the point where they fear the very
institutions they should have faith in. (A) which sums up is
appropriate – the irony of the situation is summed up in the
example of corrupt law enforcement agencies hence it is the
appropriate conclusion of the paragraph (B) is inappropriate –
the statement only sums up a police state and does not
necessarily relate to corruption. (C) is not as good a conclusion
as A though it does draw from the irony of the situation. (D) is
inappropriate because this is an example of a criminal
organisation functioning in criminal ways. Choice (A)
10. From the way the paragraph starts, we understand that the
event was of considerable significance and meaning for the
entire French nation. From the words 'thus began the
Dreyfus affair...' we understand that the context would then
move on to how the affair developed, or ended. (A) is
inappropriate because it does not follow the train of thought
discussed above. (B) is inappropriate because it does not
focus on the French nation, and discusses anti-Semitism with
relation to all of Europe. (C) is appropriate – tells us in what
manner the affair continued, and with what impact on the
nation. (D) is inappropriate as it talks only about Dreyfus and
not about the nation affected by the affair. Choice (C)
11. The paragraph says that pandemics have always existed,
but what is remarkable is that today the attitude of people
towards them is one of panic. The short statement ‘Panic
itself is a pandemic’ (option C) is a perfect fit as the
concluding statement. Option A talks about an unrelated
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point; a society obsessed to control the future in (B) and
science and technology generating new uncertainties in
(D) are unrelated to the paragraph. Choice (C)
12. Blood pressure medication used by people over 70, causes
dizziness, which is often a culprit in falls. A recent study has
found that serious fall injuries were higher for people who
took hypertension drugs. What can logically conclude this
paragraph? Of the choices given, A is the ideal one – Given
these findings, it is advisable that elderly patients discuss
their drugs with their primary care physician. This statement
is well related to the preceding sentence. B can be ruled out
since diuretics (substances that tend to increase the flow of
urine) is not related to the argument. Option C cannot be
related to the preceding sentence. ‘Activity’ is a new point
that has not been referred to earlier in the paragraph, so D
can be eliminated. Choice (A)
13. The paragraph in general is critical about disgruntled
workers and argues that one must put some energy and some
enthusiasm into one's work. (A) repeats the paragraph. (B)
oversimplifies the paragraph as it stands. (D) is important but
it introduces a case rather than close the paragraph. (C) with
‘but while’ matches the tone of the passage with ‘Of course’,
apart from reinforcing the message of the paragraph it's a
crying shame when it, is viewed as just a way to make a living
and nothing more. Choice (C)
14. The paragraph talks about the importance of transparency
and reproducibility in science. Option A concludes the
paragraph stressing the importance of these things in
counting a scientific observation as a discovery. Option A
goes well with the rest of the paragraph. Option B is an
entirely different point. B talks about ‘policies’ which are not
mentioned in the paragraph. ‘Its’ in D has no clear
antecedent. Choice (A)
15. Pay attention to the sentence preceding the blank. It says that
in an inter-connected world, actions in one place trigger
consequences elsewhere. Option C mentions the effect of this
situation, so C is the best concluding sentence. Option A can
probably come after C, not before it. The paragraph talks about
a trend seen worldwide, so confining the situation to India alone
doesn’t appear quite logical, so option B is not as suitable an
option as C. Option D is an easy elimination because it is a
repetition of a point in the paragraph. Choice (C)
16. Options A and C have no relation to the sentence before the
blank, and these options mention the same point in different
words. Option D mentions a new point that is not related to
those stated in the paragraph. Option B is continuation of the
preceding sentence. Ans : (B)
17. What logical conclusion can be supported by the paragraph?
Option A is a premise given. The paragraph says that in the
past selection played a major role in the survival of the
human species. But today with changing lifestyles it is not
the case. Option B sums up the argument by saying that
extreme selection is a thing of the past. C is a general
statement that has little relevance here. Option D goes
against the grain. Ans : (B)
18. The passage begins by expressing the general decadence
in all fields during Charles’ rule. But as we proceed, it tapers
down to decadence in ‘art’ and ‘noonday’ in America, which
means the peak period of art in America. Hence only choice
(C) follows as the last sentence and it is understood that
American artists excelled in ‘Baroque art’. Statements (A)
and (B) are generalized and (D) is negative and does not go
with ‘noonday in America’. Ans : (C)
19. The crux of the paragraph is that things are likely to get
worse before getting better. Then look at the penultimate
sentence which begins with ‘Though the central bank has
tempered its warning with the observation that risks…’. This is
a clear indication that bad loans should be tackled
immediately. Option B, which talks about the necessity of
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 tackling NPAs (Non Performing Assets), is the right option.
The paragraph doesn’t suggest any ‘multi-pronged action’, so
A is ruled out. Options C and D talk about points not related to
the ones mentioned in the paragraph. Ans : (B)
20. Based on the facts given, the ideal conclusion is that a lot of
retirement money will be invested in stock markets. So
option D is the answer. Option A talks about a related point;
B has no relation to the paragraph; and it is not clear what
the precedent of ‘this’ in C is. Ans : (D)
21. The only option that explains the sentence preceding the
blank is A. If the words in the message were the same that
he would have uttered as finance minister, it means the
message was not different, but only the author of the
message. Option B is irrelevant to the paragraph – it is just
an observation. C too is irrelevant to the points in the
paragraph. Option D is unwarranted in the context of the
passage. Ans : (A)
22. The sentence before the blank talks about a person being in
control of his life as the foundation of stress management.
This point is illustrated in option D, so D is the right choice.
Option A doesn’t go with the preceding sentence as it is
confined to just recognizing stress. B talks about locating
stressors; C mentions avoiding stressful situations as the
solution. Both are not related to ‘being in control of your life’
stated in the penultimate sentence of the paragraph.
Ans : (D)
23. The author states that empathy is not unwillingness to take
tough decisions for fear of hurting others. The idea that can
go with this is C which states that it simply means that they
are aware of, and take into consideration the impact on
others. Option A talks about ‘assessing’ co-workers, which is
not directly related to taking tough decisions. Options B and
D do not go with the paragraph – ‘empathy’ neither agrees
with co-workers nor brings people together. Ans : (C)
24. The paragraph says that though the queen is above politics,
when it comes to important issues facing the UK she isn’t.
Before the Scottish referendum, she urged voters to think
very carefully before casting their vote, and the strategy
worked. Now which sentence can complete the paragraph?
‘The code worked’ should be followed by a positive
statement about the UK. So, option C is the answer. All other
options cannot go with ‘The code worked’. Ans : (C)
25. The passage says that conditions are totally unfavourable to
life in many parts of the cosmos. Look at the figure given in
the penultimate sentence of the paragraph - one millionth of
one billionth of 1 percent of the material of the universe exists
in living form. What can we conclude from this? Of the given
options, A is the only conclusion that can be drawn: we and
all life are the exception to the rule. B and C are too general
to go with the remaining paragraph. As for D, though we can
be considered lucky considering the condition in other parts
of the universe, the word ‘luck’ doesn’t suit ‘a cosmic
perspective.’ Option A is the best choice.
Choice (A)
26. The paragraph ends with a comparison of heritage and
novelty and heritage gains the upper hand. Hence, it is best
to play it safe, and go along with (A). The caution in (B) and
(D) do not seem to be warranted if the more room there will
be for old-fashioned industries. (C) essentially repeats the
argument. Ans. A
27. (A) is overly optimistic as there is no indication in the
paragraph to this effect. (B) is an unwarranted conclusion.
The passage only mentions predicting the performance of
stock markets and that sunshine is good for stock markets.
(C) also cannot be concluded from the paragraph. The
penultimate sentence states that Economists have long
known that sunshine is good for stock markets. Hence, it is
only apt to conclude that the economists in question have
been blessed with new scholarship as in (D). Ans. D
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28. The paragraph ends with the observation that something is
odd. What is odd? That only 3 craters are found on Earth.
Why is it odd? The answer is given in (D), if many big
asteroids would have hit the Earth in the distant past, where
have all the other craters gone? (A) arrives at a conclusion
without a proper argument as such. (B) does not follow as
an oddity. It is rather an inference. (C) does not clarify which
craters are being referred to. Ans. D
29. (C) and (D) are poorly substantiated, the specific reasons for
Vietnamese ire are not clear yet. (B) mentions a
geographical imperative that can, at best, leave the
paragraph dangling. (A) emphasizes the Chinese point of
view with reinforcements announced that …. To make that
perfectly clear. Ans. A
30. The second half of the penultimate sentence explains a
retrospective word formation ‘tobacco cigarette.’ Option A
completes the explanation, so A concludes the paragraph.
Option B is irrelevant as ‘technology enhanced drug-delivery’
is not referred to in the paragraph. The precedent of ‘this’ in
C is not clear – vamping or tobacco cigarette. Option D is
totally unrelated to the paragraph. Ans : (A)
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:
1. What can be the best concluding sentence out of the four
options? The penultimate sentence says that anthropogenic
(relating to the origin and development of human beings)
causes are the sole contributor. Option B concludes the
paragraph asserting the effect of human actions. All other
options talk about general points having no relevance to the
penultimate sentence. Choice (B)
2. The paragraph is about a trait of people with ADHD.
Compared with others, they have sluggish brain reward
circuits, so they find everyday life experience dull and are
impatient and restless with daily routine. Option C
summarises the argument and concludes it; it says their
problem is that they have a set of behavioural traits that do
not match others’. A is too general and talks only about lack
of focus. The focus of B is on things – a thing that stimulates
one may appear dull to another. Option D is rather advisory
and does not go with the paragraph. Choice (C)
3. The paragraph is about three surging forces simultaneously
affecting our planet. These forces exert tremendous
pressure on our atmosphere and environment. Going by the
writer’s style and nature of argument, option D is the right
concluding sentence. This sentence sums up the argument
precisely and beautifully - we’re in the middle of three
“climate changes” at once: one digital, one ecological, one
geo-economical. Option A is irrelevant as it talks about the
effects of the forces in various countries; Americans’
anxieties have no relation to the argument. ‘Immigration
policies’ is not referred to in the paragraph, so B is
inappropriate. ‘Resilience’ has no place in the argument;
hence C can be eliminated. Choice (D)
4. Option B is the correct answer choice because it mentions
the connection between ‘warmer summers and higher ozone
reading’ mentioned in the penultimate sentence. A is inapt
as it talks about keeping ozone pollution down, which has no
connection with the preceding sentence. C is an entirely
different point. Option D also has no direct relevance to the
point discussed in the previous sentence.
Choice (B)
5. The penultimate sentence of the paragraph talks about more
than one sense getting involved when we look at food.
The option that completes this point is D, which mentions
taste buds and tummy. Nothing in the paragraph points
to confusion, so option A is ruled out. Option B is quite
irrelevant to the paragraph. Option C talks about two senses
getting smashed up, but nothing in the paragraph
suggests this, Ans : (D)
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 PRACTICE EXERCISE – 4
Explanatory Notes for questions 1 to 10:
1. The paragraph is about the laidback attitude of the
governments towards senior appointments in regulatory
bodies and apex institutions. Appointments are made at the
eleventh hour. This causes inconvenience to the appointee
and can affect the functioning of the bodies. Option B
summarises the idea contained in the paragraph succinctly.
Option A is too general as it is silent about who does the
appointments and where. ‘Creating a vacuum’ in option C
finds no support in the passage. Option D is too general and
has no relevance to the paragraph. Choice (B)
2. All the information given in the paragraph points to the
distinctive nature of the National Park: it is a hotspot of
biological diversity; it is home to many endangered species
etc. All these point to option D - The Kudremukh National
Park is unique in its services to biodiversity and ecosystems.
Option A distorts the central idea of the paragraph,
suggesting there has been an attempt to underestimate the
Park’s contribution. Option B covers only one point stated in
the paragraph. Option C can also be eliminated on the same
grounds as in B. Choice (D)
3. The paragraph describes the position of the rich in America.
Clearly, unfairness exists there, as per the instances stated
in the passage. Option A is ruled out as ‘exploitation’ is not
suggested in the paragraph. ‘Money exerting influence’ in B
is also beyond the paragraph. Nothing about the past status
is indicated in the paragraph, so ‘remarkable rise in
inequality’ in option C cannot be considered. Option D
summarises the paragraph; ‘structural unfairness’ in the first
sentence and the examples cited in the paragraph point
to this. Choice (D)
4. The paragraph attempts to trace the reason why so many
people feel the need to be constantly recognised and
flattered. It is likely that this behavioural trait has developed
in them due to their childhood experience of excessive love
followed by neglect. Answer option B summarises this – a
personality of narcissism (self-love) is caused by childhood
experience of excessive attention followed by neglect by
unregulated parents. Option A is advisory in nature, and
doesn’t make an apt summary. Option C is too general as it
talks about psychological disorders. Option D is not indicated
in the paragraph. Choice (B)
5. According to the paragraph, people today spend a lot more
time sitting than our ancestors. They spend huge sums to
ensure that they don’t get damaged due to excessive sitting.
Still, there are chances of fatal injuries due to long sitting.
Option A summarises the contents of the passage concisely.
Option B focuses on moving, which is contrary to the
argument. Regular ambulation (walking) is not suggested by
the paragraph. ‘Movement being integral to human survival’
is also not related to the paragraph. Choice (A)
6. The paragraph focuses on accidents involving selfie-takers.
The reason for the accidents, according to the paragraph, is
people’s craze for photography, triggered by the development
of mobile phones with cameras. Option C best summarises the
contents of the paragraph. Option A is a very general
statement. Option B is a distortion because the paragraph
doesn’t point to ‘accidents involving photographers on the
rise’. Option D is inapt as a summary as it is a very vague
comment on photography. Choice (C)
7. The paragraph says that simple mutations in cell division
cannot be the solitary cause of cancers. External causes like
diet, tobacco and alcohol are also responsible for many
cancers. These ideas are best summarised in option B:
although some rare cancers can be driven by genetic
mutations, the most prevalent diseases are down to extrinsic
factors. A distorts the ideas in the passage. Option C is not
entirely true; ‘bad luck’ (simple mutation) also causes
cancer. D is ruled out on the same grounds as in C.
Choice (B)
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8. The paragraph states two points: jump in the sale of mobile
phones and their misuse. Option A covers only one point,
and that too with a slight distortion. The paragraph doesn’t
support option B; ‘only country’ is not suggested in the
paragraph. Option C covers both the points in the paragraph.
The projection in option D can be an inference, not
a summary. Choice (C)
9. The paragraph states that biologists have been warning
about diseases like Zika for years. Climate change has
forced people to move around and their pathogens have
come into contact with species with no resistance. Increased
movement of people and climate change have had great
influence on the spread of infectious diseases. The ideas in
the paragraph are best summarised in option B. The second
part of option A is not supported by the paragraph. Option C
has no relevance to the contents of the passage. Option D is
a partial summary. Choice (B)
10. The paragraph says that the Syrian implosion could have
been avoided if the government had not used force to
supress popular political demands, which in any other
democratic country would have been considered legitimate.
Option A summarises this idea concisely. India is cited as an
example to suggest a popular movement that took place
there, so a comparison is not intended. This eliminates
option B. Option C is distortion of the contents of the
paragraph as there is no reference to bloodshed. Option D
is not supported by the passage. Choice (A)
Explanatory Notes for questions 11 to 20:
11. The passage essentially mentions that about 270m people
from China are moving from one area to another in search of
work and are leaving their children under someone's care. Only
choice (C) brings out all the features in the apt manner. In (A),
the movement of people from rural areas is not mentioned.
Also, the number of people that have moved has not been
specified. These two points make the choice incorrect. In (B),
the entire list of guardians is not mentioned, making it incorrect.
In (D), the use of Chinese people is incorrect. There could be
people of different nationalities in China who have moved from
one place to another. Choice (C)
12. The paragraph essentially implies that George W. Bush
cracking jokes and being witty about his lack of intelligence,
reminded people about his presidential stand up act. This
imposed a question on the kind of work he had done for the
eight years that he was a President and how it never seemed
like it was fruitful during that tenure. Only choice (B) brings
out all of these points clearly. Choice (A) is incorrect as the
years did not go unnoticed. Rather, they were in the limelight
as they were a question on the execution of his work. Choice
(C) is incorrect as the choice mentions his absence. No
where in the question does it mention or can be inferred that
he was absent from his duties. It only says that there was a
reminiscence of how his duties were executed during his
tenure. Choice (D) is incorrect as we do not know if he was
inefficient as a President overall or if he was lacking in the
execution of his duties. Choice (B)
13. The passage talks about a meeting that was held in
Bengaluru in which innovative ways of developing new
products was discussed. In addition to this, ways and
methods to combine traditional business with startups was
also the theme. These are the only two main points of the
meeting. Choice (D) is the correct choice as it covers both
the points aptly. Choice (D)
14. The important points in the passage are that the Central
Goverment reached a conclusion without proper analysis
about a certain issue. Only choice (A) brings out all the points
in the apt manner. Choice (B) is incorrect as the Central
Government was not inconclusive but the floor test was
inconclusive. Choice (C) is incorrect as the passage does
not suggest if the Congress government had lost or won. The
passage only suggests that the Congress Government had
lost its majority. Choice (D) is incorrect as it does not indicate
who or what Nabam Tuki is or on what grounds the
President's rule was established. Choice (A)
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15. The main points of the passage are that Make in India and
Digital India may require manpower for research or any other
job type. Also, Sri Lanka would benefit from this opportunity
as they can provide the manpower, but it may not be only
monetary benefit. Only choice (A) highlights these points
well. In choice (B), the words “which may vary” are incorrect
as they imply that the jobs can change, and not that there
were different kind of jobs. In choice (C), only monetary
benefits are highlighted. This is not correct as we cannot
conclude this from the passage. In choice (D), “all the
manpower” is incorrect. Choice (A)
16. The passage mentions that BlackBerry's move to software
has borne fruit as the company has given some positive
pointers indicating growth. Only choice (C) mentions all
these points correctly. In choice (A) the use of “when the
company reported” is wrong. This gives an idea as if the
move to software was because of the good stocks, which is
incorrect. In choice (B), the switching to software point has
not been mentioned, making it incorrect. In choice (D) “its
first quarter-to-quarter revenue which was due to higher
stocks” is incorrect as this was not the reason for the “first
quarter-to-quarter revenue”. Choice (C)
17. The passage mentions that Arun Jaitley argued that privacy
is not a fundamental right and the Lok Sabha legislature's
primary objective was the delivery of benefits, subsidies and
services to the people. He also said that gaps or flaws in law
can be improved at any time. Only choice (C) highlights all
these points effectively. Choice (A) is incorrect as it does not
mention any of the primary objectives. Choice (B) is incorrect
as Lok Sabha or House is not mentioned at all. Choice (D) is
incorrect as the use of “primary objectives towards people”
is incorrect as per the passage. Choice (C)
18. The passage mentions that while most animals hate cold and
find ways to escape from it, some animals can bear the cold.
Only choice (B) brings out these ideas effectively. Choice (A)
is incorrect as it does not mention the methods and ways in
which some animals escape the cold. Choice (C) is incorrect
as the 'them’ refers to animals who embrace cold. If the other
animals are mentioned, the pronoun “themselves” should be
used. Choice (D) is incorrect as the use of “some animals”
and “most animals” has been interchanged, thereby
changing the idea of the passage. Choice (B)
19. The passage talks about one of the objectives of “Make in
India” and the steps which could be implemented to realize
this objective. Only choice (A) covers all the points. Choice (B)
is incorrect as it talks about “major objective” and not one of
the objectives. Choice (C) is incorrect as “major improvement”
is incorrect as per the passage. Also, the reason for doing any
of this is not clear. Choice (D) is incorrect as it is too far fetched
a conclusion. Choice (A)
20. The passage mentions that there is not only a requirement
to return indigenous artworks by ethnic groups and cultures
to their home countries by the West, there is also a growing
consensus from different people to “share” global heritage
more fairly. Only choice (B) brings this out well. Choice (A) is
incorrect as it does not mention that the people who want the
artworks back are countries and ethnic groups. It also
incorrectly mentions that the same people want to share art.
Choice (C) mentions “countries world over” and “rest of the
people”, both of which are incorrect. Choice (D) is incorrect
as it mentions the artworks to be returned to West and not
returned by West and it also mentions expansive manner
which is not present in the original passage. Choice (B)
Explanatory Notes for questions 21 to 30:
21. The given passage has the following important points:
1. Dacher Keltner has specialized in the study of facial
expressions.
2. A smile is one of the most useful tools of human
behaviour because it helps build kinship,
strengthen social relations and makes one feel good.
Only Choice (A) has these points. Choice (B) leaves out
the positive effects that a smile produces and only talks
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of the chemicals released. Choice (C) cannot be a
summary because it is verbose; Choice (D) is also ruled
out as it leaves out the aspect that smile makes one
feel good. Choice (A)
22. The important points that the passage deals with are:
1. Realty is thriving in Singapore.
2. Millionaires are queuing up to buy high-end
properties.
3. Of them, Indian millionaires are becoming dominant
with rising contribution.
Choice (B) has these points. Choice (A) is wrong because it
says Indian millionaires are “the most dominant” but the
passage says that they are among the most dominant.
Choices (C) and (D) are ruled out because it is not clear
whether 'contrary to…' refers to queuing up or acquiring
high-end properties. Choice (B)
23. The important points in the passage are:
1. Production and distribution are basic economic
activities.
2. They change their institutional features under the
changing social conditions.
3. Under feudalism, agriculture was the most dominant
productive activity and distribution played more
important role than ownership over land.
4. Under capitalism, a small section of the people capture
means of production and control others.
Only Choice (A) has these points. Choice (B) is wrong
because it says capitalism aids a minority, which distorts the
meaning of the passage because capitalism as a concept
cannot do that. Choice (C) is ruled out as it leaves out
important points. Choice (D) is also wrong because it says
the means of production help a minority to control others but
the passage says it is minority's capture of the means of
production that helps. Choice (A)
24. The most important points expressed in the passage are:
(1) Real India does not reside in villages any more, it
resides in cities.
(2) Cities offer many opportunities and a variety of
attractions.
(3) Urban India contributes most to the nations’s GDP. The
focus of the passage is essentially on real India residing in
cities now. Only choices (C) and (D) reflect this idea. Again
choice (D) can be eliminated because it has repetitive
statements. All the above mentioned points are focused in
option (C). Choice (C)
25. The passage essentially says that for an effective change in
the format of a newspaper the publisher should:
(1) identify its core reader group
(2) cater to the needs of the group
(3) keep them informed about the benefits of the format.
These three are expressed only in Choice (C). Choice (A)
is long-winded. Choice (B) is eliminated because it
includes the example which is not important. Choice (D)
is ruled out because it does not give complete
information. Choice (C)
26. The focus of the passage is on the manufacturing ability of
China, and how it gets affected by US economy. Choice (B)
does not convey the idea properly. Choice (C) is long-
winding. Choice (D) conveys the idea that the U.S. controls
China’s economy. Choice (A)
27. Option (B) does not qualify as a best summary because it
mentions examples of major scientific breakthroughs like the
‘human genome project’. Option (C) is incorrect because it
distorts the idea of the original passage by mentioning that it
is actually the personal attributes of the team leader which
are responsible for the discovery. Option (D) cannot be
called the best summary because it does not mention that
the junior members in the scientific team are excluded from
laurels and rewards. Thus Choice (D) does not capture all
the significant points in the passage. Choice (A)
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28. Option (A) does not qualify as the best summary because it
mentions trivial details and examples. Choice (B) cannot be
the best summary because it does not mention that doctors
are unable to extend the best treatment to all because
modern medicine is expensive and best treatment cannot be
available to all due to paucity of funds. Option (C) is not a
best summary because it mentions that the best treatment is
available to only those who are wealthy, thereby distorting
the original passage. Choice (D)
29. The essence of the paragraph is that
(1) Citizens normally consider their actions insignificant in
the running of the state.
(2) Gandhi debunked this assumption and felt that citizens
should understand that their actions, though
insignificant when compared to the mighty state,
sustains it.
(3) Hence they must feel responsible for their actions.
These ideas have been captured in choice (B). Choice (A) is
incorrect as it mentions that citizens act irrationally. This is
not in agreement with what is mentioned in the text. Choice
(C) omits mentioning that the citizen is responsible for his
actions. Choice (D) erroneously mentions that citizens are
aware that the state cannot be run without their participation.
Choice (B)
30. The main points in the paragraph are the following.
(1) Detente does not happen by imposing conditions and
ultimatums.
(2) A constructive approach must be adopted in order to
solve all contentious issues.
(3) The less contentious issues should be tackled first and
then the more complex issues should be attended to.
(4) Recent developments hint at a détente between India
and Pakistan.
These ideas have been captured in choice (A). Choice (B) is
incorrect as it says that the more complicated issues should
be tackled first. Choice (C) is incorrect as it seems to
incorrectly imply that détente can adversely affect people to
people relations. Choice (D) fails to mention the third point
mentioned above, and hence is not comprehensive.
Choice (A)
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
1. The key points in the passage are:
(A) Banks are better off now, financially.
(B) This is because of low interest rates which has
increased their income.
(C) With increased income banks have been able to wipe
off the losses.
(D) Increase in interest rates has again led them to their
traditional business, namely lending, for earning
income.
Choice (A) is right. Choice (B) is wrong because it leaves out
important information. Choice (C) is wrong because it says
'......... enter into lending ..........' whereas banks have always
been doing it. Choice (D) is wrong because it says 'banks
are better' – banks are not 'better' but 'better off' (better off
means 'have more money'). Further they don't 'resort to'
lending. Choice (A)
2. The main points in the paragraph are -
1. When we use the term 'animated films' we assume it is
for children.
2. Many animated films have adult appeal, as well as
appeal to the child in adults.
3. Many animated films have themes that appeal to both
children and adults.
4. Animated films may however, not appeal to all adults
either-It is a question of choice.
Option A is a distortion because it says the varied themes
draw children whereas the original paragraph says that the
varied themes draw adults.
Option B omits points 2 and 4.
Option C is the best summary as it includes all the main ideas.
Option D too is a distortion because of 'many adults' are still
children. Choice (C)
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3. The passage is about the role played by SPINK1 gene
mutation and PRSS1 gene mutation in the development of
pancreatitis. It was found that the onset of the disease was
earlier in individuals having only SPINK1 gene as compared
to those having only PRSS1 though mutation of PRSS1 gene
was found to be playing a role in disease pathogenesis
(development of the disease) in Indians. This argument is
summarised in option C - SPINK1 gene mutation is the
predominant cause of pancreatitis disease in Indians. Option
A goes against the paragraph. Option B is a distortion since
PRSS1 gene mutation doesn’t cause the disease; it only helps
in its development. Option D goes against the passage.
SPINK1 gene is not related to digestion. Choice (C)
4. According to the passage, even though the Indian economy
is growing, businesses are worried about the unavailability
of skilled workforce as our engineering curriculum does not
suit our needs. Option A is incorrect as a summary because
the focus of the passage is on unskilled workforce, and not
on improving engineering curriculum. The passage does not
point to any disillusionment of Indian businesses; they are
only concerned or anxious; so option B is incorrect. Option
C summarises the main points of the paragraph. Option D is
a general statement about education sector which is not
relevant to the paragraph. Choice (C)
5. The passage mentions that the Indian government will not
only continue to pursue the Pathankot investigation, but it will
also make it clear to the Sharif government that they would
have to show sincerity as the maximum attacks come from
Pakistan. Only choice (D) brings this out well. Choice (A) is
incorrect as the Indian government is not cautious of the
attacks, but condemns them. Choice (B) is incorrect as “back
to being engaged” goes against the idea of the passage.
Choice (C) is incorrect as “continuing to engage” goes
against the idea of the passage. Choice (D)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 5
Explanatory notes for questions 1 to 10:
1. The choice of the opening sentence is between (1) and (2).
(1) can be ruled out when we look closely at the two
sentences because (1) explains the importance of
‘consistency’ mentioned in 2. So 2 has to be the opening
sentence. (1) follows (2). Sentences (3) and (5) constitute
the story and the order is evident. (4) is the clear concluding
sentence. Ans: (21354)
2. It is not difficult to identify the central idea of the passage: the
passage describes the consequences of the lack of public
awareness about brain death. So sentence (5) can be taken
as the opening sentence. Sentence (1) describes brain death,
so it should follow (5). Sentence (3) tells the reason for what is
stated in (1), so (3) is the next one. Sentence (2) tells the result
of the belief of most people mentioned in (3), so (2) follows (3).
Sentence (4) tells the final result: the organs are not in a
condition to be transplanted. Ans: (51324)
3. The paragraph talks about a particular university offering
degrees which are highly sought after all over the world. The
ideal way to begin the paragraph is with sentence (5), which
says they export education to customers. The next sentence
could be the one that describes the customers, so sentence (2)
can be considered. The degree that is mentioned in (2) is
further described in (3), so (3) can be the next sentence.
Sentence (1) gives more information about professors
mentioned in (3), so (3) is the next sentence. ‘These
commodities’ in sentence (4) relate to ‘intellect and information’
in (1), and so (4) can be the next sentence. Ans: (52314)
4. ‘World Conference on International Telecommunication’ and
‘heated debate’ are key words to pick b as the opening
sentence. The phrase ‘some countries’ is a clue to pick a as
the second sentence as the sentence mentions a point of
debate. (4) begins with ‘some’ which can easily be
considered as a continuation of ‘some countries’ in the
previous sentence. The clue to select (3) as the next
sentence comes from the word ‘others.’ Sentences (1),
(4) and (3) mention the stand taken by various countries. The
concluding sentence can only be (5) as it states the result.
Ans: (21435)
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5. The choice of the opening sentence is limited to (2) since all
other sentences begin with the pronoun ‘he’ which obviously
refers to the driver in (2). Now the task is to order sentences
(1), (3), (4) and (5). ‘General’ to ‘specific’ is a commonly
accepted principle followed in description of a person or
explanation of a concept. This makes us select a as the next
sentence since it gives a general description of the driver.
Going by the same principle, we can choose (4) as the next
sentence as it talks about the ‘global crisis’ and ‘Mexico.’
‘Unemployment’ and ‘inability to get the right job’ in e can
easily be related to ‘things were bad in Mexico for people like
him’ in (4), so (5) can be chosen as the next sentence.
Sentence (3) is the logical conclusion as the driver blames the
U.S for the present situation. Ans: (21453)
6. A reading of the sentences will make it clear that the topic
being discussed is ‘boundaries in relationships.’ So the
opening sentence is the one that talks about the topic in
general terms. This makes us pick sentence (3), which tells
us that boundaries in relationships exist all over the world.
As the next one, sentence (4) can be chosen as it further
explains where these boundaries exist. ‘They’ in (2) can be
related to ‘boundaries’ in (4), so (2) is the next sentence.
Sentence (1) explains how these ‘boundaries’ affect our
transactions with others, and so a can be the next sentence.
What is stated in (1) is further illustrated in
(5) with an example. Hence (5) is the next sentence.
Ans: (34215)
7. A quick reading of the sentences will suggest that the
paragraph is about a recent report in The Daily Mail. So we
can choose (3) as the opening sentence. The response of
‘most people’ suggested in (3) is explained in a and ‘their
brain’ in (1) is the clue for choosing a. Logically, (5) is the
next sentence as it gives more information about the study
referred to in the previous sentences. The ironical thing
explained in (2) is well linked to what is stated in (5) that the
story has been echoed by a large number of news sources.
So (5) should precede (2). Sentence d further explains the
point mentioned in (2). Ans: (31524)
8. It is not difficult to identify (5) as the opening sentence.
The beginning of (2), (3) and (4) (They, However and As a
result) gives us the clue that they cannot be opening
sentences of a paragraph. The pronoun ‘these’ in (1) makes
it unsuitable for the opening sentence of a paragraph. ‘They’
in (2) can refer to ‘most people’ in (5), so (2) can be the next
sentence. ‘However’ in (3) gives the indication that
something contrary to what has been said is going to follow
- ‘once a follower suddenly becomes a leader’ is what
follows. Sentence (4) that begins with ‘as a result’ is a
continuation of (3). Sentence (1) concludes the argument
saying we have seen instances of these qualities with our
managers. Ans: (52341)
9. Statement '4’ is the opening sentence as it mentions the
property originally owned by four generations of the Baker
family in Kumarakom. Next is statement '2’ as it lets the
reader know that the Kerala tourism department first
acquired property and the Baker Bungalow from the Baker
family. Sentence ‘1’ maintains the chronological order and
tells us how the mansion was 'later' leased to the Taj Group
which runs it as a resort 'now' Sentence '3' mentions the
features of the resort which are reminiscent of Baker's
handiwork. Finally sentence '5' mentions the layout of
Zuri Kumarakom that opened in 2006. Therefore 42135 is
the correct sequence. Ans: (42135)
10. Sentence ‘5’ is the ideal opening line as it introduces the
reader to the 'robotic arm which is one of the most important
parts of a robot's anatomy. Sentence ‘2’ comes next because
it tells us that a robot's capabilities are defined by its
hand/hands. Next comes statement '4' which mentions the
'tasks' done by a robotic arm/hand. Sentence '1' mentions
the word 'moreover' strengthening sentence '4' and adding
more information to it. Finally sentence '3' suggests
'improvement' for greater 'dexterity' for complex tasks like
working with and caring for people. Hence 52413 is the
correct sequences of sentences. Ans: (52413)
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Explanatory notes for questions 11 to 20:
11. The arguments put forward in the paragraph suggest that
Vivek is comfortable with the BPO with regard to the current
salary and life-style, but he doesn’t appear confident of the
scope of maths in future. With regard to option B, there is no
suggestion in the paragraph that he doesn’t see any future
for mathematics. May be, one can conclude that he is not
sure. But such an option is not available. Option C is not
based on facts presented in the passage. Option D is also
incorrect since mathematics is a subject that he still loves.
‘Wasting a few more years’ in the last sentence may be
related to financial aspects alone. Choice (A)
12. The expression ‘putting a spotlight on the importance of
mould remediation for public health’ in the last sentence
leads us to option C. Other options are contrary to the facts
in the paragraph. Choice (C)
13. It is clear from the paragraph (especially the words “...unlike
traditional market researchers...”) that the anthropological
researcher is also engaged in market research. The words
“may seem inefficient” indicate that the contrary would
follow. An indication of the efficiency of the method is
presented only in B. Choice (B)
14. The very fact that the shortcomings are referred to as
“struggles with challenges” implies that we do try to overcome
them, and that their outcome is of significance. We wouldn't be
trying if it wasn't necessary. Therefore, statements A and B are
inappropriate. The paragraph is not about competition or
competitive environments, so statement D is inappropriate.
Statement C is appropriate– indicating that there are things we
can look to for inspiration, in coping with these challenges.
Choice (C)
15. While the para focuses, specifically, on how to get the best
out of an individual, statements C and D are general
statements presenting beliefs or perceptions about
management. They would be appropriate to open the
paragraph, but not to close it. While statement A presents
the kind of thought that would close this paragraph – it
presents an assertion of what happens, whereas it should be
in the nature of what could or would happen, since all the
prior statements speak of what would be expected of
managers (commencing with 'should' in the first sentence).
Therefore, B is the appropriate choice, indicating surprise
that an uncomplicated arrangement such as that discussed
is hardly followed. Choice (B)
16. The two possible answers are choice (A) and (C). Choice (A)
may sound reasonable, but the passage talks about polio
eradication. There is no reference to eradication in choice
(A). The paragraph says polio virus can spread rapidly in
places where hygiene and sanitation are poor.
So vaccination is important. The logical conclusion can be
choice (C) which says if enough children are immunized, the
virus can’t find susceptible children to infect and dies out. So
choice (C) suits the context. Choices (B) and (D) are
irrelevant. Choice (C)
17. The paragraph talks about India’s public health policy pitted
against some powerful sectors and the government’s
inability to tighten control on them. The ideal conclusion can,
therefore, be the one that talks about the policy, and not the
ones that talk about just one issue - tobacco. So choices (A),
(B) and (C) are ruled out and choice (D) can be chosen as
the correct conclusion. Choice (D)
18. ‘A new era of Asian-style succession politics’ in the
paragraph gives the clue to select choice (C), which
compares the House of Commons to the Lok Sabha, in the
event the offspring of the senior leaders win the election.
This is the logical way the paragraph can be concluded.
Choice (A) is not suitable as a concluding sentence; it might
fit in as an introduction. Choices (B) and (D) talk about
creating a brand name, which can happen only if they win
the election. So they can be ruled out as the concluding
sentence in this context. Choice (C)
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19. The paragraph discusses a new method of pricing being
adopted by a new airline. The penultimate sentence
mentions the feelings of some passengers, particularly the
slim ones, about this method of pricing. Option B concludes
the paragraph, endorsing the rationale behind this method of
pricing. All other options are about future consequences of
this system of pricing. Hence they don’t conclude the
paragraph. Choice (B)
20. The paragraph focuses on the Indian perception of duty.
Sanatana Dharma is not practised today, and we have no clear
perception of what is good and what is bad; what is good for
some is bad for some others. Option D concludes the
paragraph by completing the argument -what some see as
duty is seen by others as abuse of duty. Option A gives a new
idea, and it doesn’t conclude the paragraph. B cannot be
related to the argument; it is quite remote. Option C is totally
irrelevant to the paragraph. Choice (D)
Explanatory notes for questions 21 to 23:
21. Statements B, C and D (in the order CDB) discuss the
potential of mutual funds in making money. Statement A,
however, says that mutual funds in India have gone after
corporate and institutional investors. This has no relevance
to the context. Choice (A)
22. Statements A, C and D (in the order ADC) talk about how
Linfen in China improved living conditions by constructing
vital things like public toilets. But statement B talks about the
design of toilets that has changed people’s perceptions. This
statement does not match the idea presented in this
paragraph. Choice (B)
23. Statements A, C and D (in the same order) describe
a tendency among workers not to take their entitled vacation.
Statement B talks about the worry of workers. This is out of
context. Choice (B)
Explanatory notes for questions 24 and 25:
24. Statement (4) begins the para by giving an introduction to
what follows in the subsequent part of the passage.
Statement (5) follows (4) by elaborating on one of the factors
which enable free speech. (1) follows (5) by citing some more
instances. Statement (3) concludes the paragraph by summing
up what is stated in the preceding statements. Option (2) brings
in another idea which is not related to what is stated in 4513
and is therefore the odd man out. Ans: (2)
25. Statement (4) begins the paragraph by defining work as the
most important institutions of society. (5) and (3) further
elaborate on what is stated in (4). (2) presents a contrast by
stating how work is now less generous and less certain than
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR VOCAB EXERCISES
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 1
Explanatory Notes for questions 1 to 5:
1. Integrate is a synonym of the word amalgamate (derived)
from the root am = love). The words imbue (instill, permeate),
buttress (support) and ostracize (expel) are not synonyms of
amalgamate. Choice (A)
2. Convergence is synonymous with the word confluence
which is derived from the root flu = flow. Conflagration
means a blaze or inferno. Choice (B)
3. The words exculpate (derived from the root culp = fault,
blame) is synonymous with exonerate meaning free from
blame. Extirpate is to eliminate or abolish, excoriate is to flay
or critize sharply, extradite is to bring to trial.
Choice (C)
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what it was earlier. Hence 4532 form a sequence. Statement
(1) talks about universal basic income – an idea which is
totally different from what is stated in 4532. Hence (1) is the
odd man out. Ans: (1)
Explanatory notes for questions 26 to 30:
26. The focus of the paragraph is on the harmful effects of sleep
deprivation. It can affect metabolism, heart function,
cognition and neurological activity. Option (2) summarises
the paragraph. Option (1), though a close option, uses a very
strong expression ‘disastrous consequences’, which makes
it inapt. Options (3) is only a supporting point. No attempt is
made in the paragraph to compare psychological
consequences with bodily discomforts, so option (4) is not
a summary of the paragraph. Ans: (2)
27. The crux of the paragraph is that in order to evolve into a
leader, one has to reflect on the real motive of becoming a
leader. This is best reflected in option (4). Option (1) is
a sweeping statement which distorts the meaning of the
paragraph. Option (2) goes against the paragraph.
Option (3) is only a sub point to the main one. Ans: (4)
28. The paragraph says that the economy today is controlled by
finance, and this has nothing to do with the real economy of
output and jobs. So the offering of schemes in the budget for
new derivatives etc. will not make any changes in the real
economy. These points are summarised in option (1).
Finance and economy being independent of each other is
not suggested in the paragraph, so option (2) is incorrect.
Gains from derivatives not being consistent in option (3) is
not the focus of the paragraph. Option (4) is a sweeping
comment not supported by the paragraph. Ans: (1)
29. According to the passage, a few leaders seek money, power
and prestige, rather than valuing fair compensation for their
achievements. When they get these they develop a deep
desire to get more, and in the process of acquiring these,
they break their ethical standards and fair conduct. Option
(3) succinctly summarises these points. Option (1) is too
general and sweeping, and distorts the import of the
paragraph. Option (2) is not supported by the paragraph;
rather it goes against the argument. The focus of the
passage is not the types of leaders, so option (4) is incorrect.
Ans: (3)
30. The topic of the paragraph is the consequence of the recent
WTO ruling. At present it may not appear to be
disadvantageous, but in the long run this will crush our solar
equipment industry. The best summary of the paragraph is
option (3), which highlights the detrimental effect of the ruling
on our fledgling equipment industry. Option (1) covers only
part of the paragraph. Option (2) is distorted. Option (4) is
totally unrelated to the paragraph. Ans: (3)
4. The words bellicose (derived from the root belli = war, fight)
and pugnacious convey the same meaning. The words
astute and canny mean shrewd and crafty. Oppressive
means brutal or tyrannical. Choice (C)
5. The words indolence (derived from the root dol = pain,
sorrow) and slothful are synonymous. Docile (derived from
the root doc = teach) means passive or compliant.
Lugubrious means sad or gloomy, intransigent means
stubborn or obstinate. Choice (D)
Explanatory Notes for questions 6 to 10:
6. Amiability (derived from the root ami = love) is an antonym
of acrimony (acr = sharp, sour) meaning bitterness.
Raucousness means discordance or harshness, tyranny
means severity or absolution and irascibility means anger or
acerbity. Choice (A)
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7. Applaud is an antonym of bemoan meaning lament. The
word bemoan is derived from the root be = to make, to have
a certain quality. Berate is to castigate or criticize, deplore
and bewail (derived from the root be = make) both mean to
disapprove of. Choice (C)
8. Resist is an antonym of the word capitulate, meaning
surrender, which is derived from the root capt = to take, hold,
seize. Elevate is to raise, enumerate (numer = number) is to
itemize or count. Choice (D)
9. The words intermittent (sporadic) and incessant (cess =
yield, to go) (constant) are antonyms. Steadfast means
abiding, fitful means periodic and incessant (cess = yield, to
go) means never-ending. Choice (D)
10. The word doctrinaire (derived from the root doc = teach)
means rigid or inflexible. Liberal is its antonym. Rebellious
(belli = war, flight) means disobedient, capricious means
whimsical or arbitrary. Choice (D)
Explanatory Notes for questions 11 to 15:
11. An autocrat (derived from the root crac/crat = rule, power)
lacks benevolence (derived from the root ben = good) or
compassion. A recidivist (one who repeatedly relapses into
crime) lacks compunction (regret). The word compunction is
derived from the root (com = with, together). An ascetic
(abstainer, hermit) does not lack abstemiousness
(abstinence, moderation). The word abstemiousness is
derived from the root ab = off, away, apart.
A criminal (derived from the root crim = judge, accuse) is not
lacking in acrimony (derived from the root ac = sharp, sour).
A connoisseur (arbiter of taste) is not lacking in taste. Only
option A conveys a relationship which is similar to that
expressed in the question pair. Choice (A)
12. The words commodious, (derived from the root com = with,
together) and expansive are synonyms, among the given
options the words cloistered (derived from the root clois =
cloister, reclusive) and confined (cramped) share a
synonymous relationship. The words decadent (cad = fall,
happen) and repulsive (hateful, abhorrent) squalid (filthy)
and alluring (charming), defiled (polluted) and pristine
(undefiled) are not synonymous. Hence only choice C is apt
Choice (C)
13. The words in the question pair share an antonymous
relationship. Compliant, meaning acquiescent or
conforming, and are derived from the root com = with,
together, is the antonym of resistant (opposed to). Among
the given options defamatory (slanderous) and
complimentary (flattering) share an antonymous
relationship. The words debilitating (weakening) and
enervating (enfeebling; exhausting), clamorous (noisy; loud)
and boisterous; incessant (continuous) and relentless are all
synonyms. Choice (C)
14. Euphemistic means extenuative or to make something less
serious. Malapropos refers to something which is untimely or
infelicitous. Only option A shares a relationship which is
analogous to that expressed by the question pair. The words
lucid (clear) and ambiguous (doubtful, unclear), gratuitous
(done without purpose or reason) and prudent (wise;
rational), disingenuous (tricky, cunning) and veracious
(truthful) do not share a synonymous relationship and are
hence inappropriate. Choice (A)
15. Something which is illusory (derived from the root lus
= play) is characterized by deception; something which is
judicious is characterized by prudence. Only choice B
expresses a relationship which is analogous to that exhibited
by the question pair. The word judicious is derived form the
root jud = judge. The words transitory and impermanence,
grandiloquent (derived form the root loqu = speak) meaning
pompous, and deceit, profound and flippancy are not
appropriate. Choice (B)
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Explanatory Notes for questions 16 to 20:
16. Option A is absurd because if issues of environmental
impacts are incontrovertible (derived from the root contra =
against) or indisputable they will not fall on a spectrum
between two antagonistic camps. The words incessant (cess
= yield, to go) meaning relentless or continuous and
polemical (hostile, bitter) do not make sense in this context,
hence option D can be eliminated. Between options B and C
the former is more logical because the word inimical is too
strong and is therefore unwarranted in this context.
Choice (B)
17. The words execrable meaning appalling, dreadful and artful
(derived form the root art = skill, craft) do not make sense in
the second blank hence options B and C can be ruled out.
Option A is incorrect because the word ambiguous (derived
from the root ambi = both) meaning vague is a misfit in this
context. Further, the word ambiguous does not collocate with
dispute. The words acrimonious (derived from the root acr =
sharp, sour) and amicable (derived from the root ami = love)
are most appropriate in the given blank. Choice (D)
18. Option A is illogical because hamfisted (clumsy) handling of
a crisis does not receive adulation or applause. Proficient
handling of something does not receive flak (criticism).
Slipshod (careless) handling does not receive
commendation (praise). Hence both options B and D are
absurd. The words applause and adept (derived from the raft
apt = correct, fit, skill, ability) fits perfectly in the given blank.
Choice (C)
19. The word resurrection meaning revival is a misfit in the first
blank because it runs contrary to what is intended in the
sentence. Hence, choice C is inapt. Choice B is absurd
because an inflammatory (provocative) speech does not
result in the termination of hostilities. The word interruption
does not make sense in the first blank because interruption
of hostilities is not a correct collocation. Hence choice D can
be eliminated. The words cessation meaning to stop (derived
from the root cess = yield, to go) and inciting (derived from
the root cite = to call, to start) is apt in this context.
Choice (A)
20. Although the word acerbic (derived from the root acr =sharp)
may fit into the second blank the word amplify is a misfit in
the first blank because it cannot be said that differences are
amplified. The word incite (provoke) does not fit into the first
blank because it cannot be said that differences are incited.
Hence option B can be ruled out. The word ‘differences’
implies that the election campaign has been rancorous
(bitter; malignant). Options A and C can be eliminated
because the words zealous (enthusiastic) and fiery
(passionate) are too mild in this context. Choice (D)
Explanatory Notes for questions 21 to 25:
21. Yes, Ambivalent (derived from the root ambi = both) means
hesitant or in two minds. Hence a person who is ambivalent
is indecisive.
22. Yes. The word avionics, derived from the root avi = bird, fly,
is the science of, electronics when used in designing and
making an aircraft.
23. Yes. An abbot is a monk; the superior of an abbey of monks
who leads a cloistered existence.
24. No, an agnostic is a person who believes that it is not
possible to know whether god exists or not. The word
agnostic is derived from the root cogn/agnos = to know.
25. An ungrateful person is called an ingrate (derived form the
root grat = please). Choice (D)
Explanatory Notes for questions 26 to 30:
26. The word absolve (derived from the root ab/abs = off, away,
apart, down) means to forgive. Pardon and reprieve are its
synonyms. Abjure meaning renounce or reject is the odd one
out. Choice (C)
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27. The word armistice (derived from the root arm = weapon) is
synonymous with truce and ceasefire, Armada (also derived
from the same root) refers to a large group of army ships
sailing together and is hence the odd man out
Choice (B)
28. The word anarchy (derived from the root arch = rule) is
synonymous with mayhem and lawlessness. Cataclysm
meaning disaster is the odd word in this context.
Choice(C)
29. The word concord (derived from the root con = with,
together) is synonymous with, accord and harmony. Combat
meaning fight is the odd word here. Choice (D)
30. The words approbation (derived from the root appro =
correct, fit), approval and applause are all synonyms.
Appropriation, meaning allotment or grant, is the odd man
out. Choice (D)
Explanatory Notes for questions 31 to 38:
31. Statement D is incorrect because the expression ‘bound in’
is incorrect. The correct expression is ‘bound up in’. To be
bound up in something is to be very busy with something or
very interested or involved in something. Choice (D)
32. The expression ‘on all accounts’ is incorrect in choice D. The
correction is ‘by all accounts’ or ‘from all accounts’ which
means according to what other people say. Choice (D)
33. The usage of screen is incorrect in choice B. The correct
phrasal verb to be used here is screen off meaning to
separate part of a room etc. from the rest of it by putting a
screen around it. Choice (B)
34. The use of the phrasal verb cut up is incorrect in choice B.
The correct phrasal verb is cut off meaning to cause a person
to be or feel alone. Choice (B)
35. Choice C is incorrect. Blame is pinned on someone and not
at someone. Choice (C)
36. The use of ‘off’ after face is incorrect in choice C. The correct
expression is vanish or disappear off the face of the earth.
Choice (C)
37. The word rank should be used in the plural in choice A. To
rise through the ranks is to reach a high position in an
organization, society etc. Choice (A)
38. The expression act out is incorrect in choice D. The correct
phrasal verb is act up which means to behave badly.
Choice (D)
Explanatory Notes for questions 39 to 45:
39. The word revered (worshipped) is too strong and
unwarranted in this context. The words denounced and
condemned run contrary to the idea implied in the paragraph
where a parallel is drawn between the dysfunctional thinking
which prevailed in the erstwhile Nazi Germany and the
present situation where dysfunctional thinking has resulted
in the abuse of natural resources. This is best brought out by
the word institutionalized. Dysfunctional thinking was
institutionalized (considered normal) in Nazi Germany.
Choice (B)
40. Only the word ravenous brings out the voracious
consumption of resources, which the paragraph intends to
convey. The word restrained (restricted) and unwarranted
(unjustified) are absurd in this context. The word exorbitant
is not used while taking about the consumption of resources.
Choice (C)
41. ‘Inordinate consumption of resources’ is an incorrect
expression. Hence option B can be ruled out. Among options
A, C and D, D is most appropriate because it brings out the
extent of greed which is seen in the consumption of
resources. Choice (D)
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42. It is too far-fetched that insatiable consumption of resources
would lead to cataclysms (a sudden disaster like a flood or a
war). Upheavals (bedlam, chaos) or incursions (raid,
invasion). (The word incursion is derived from the root cur =
run.) But it is quite likely that it would lead to crises (times of
great danger or difficulty). Choice (A)
43. The expression ‘run amok’ is most apt in this context. To run
amok is to get out of control. The words viciously (brutally),
tempestuously (turbulently) and menacingly (threateningly)
are overstated and are therefore inappropriate in this
context. Choice (B)
44. An assumption is not championed, cultivated or endorsed.
But it is appropriate to say that an assumption is fostered.
Choice (D)
45. The word noxious (poisonous) cannot be used with way of
thinking. Hence choice D is inappropriate. The word quirky
is redundant because it conveys the same meaning as the
word strange. The word calamitous (catastrophic) is also too
strong in this context when compared to the word
destructive. Choice (C)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 2
Explanatory Notes for questions 1 to 5:
1. The word approbation (derived from the root appro
= correct, fit, skill, ability) means approval or consent. The
word endorsement is synonymous with it. The words
denunciation meaning censure or blame, obsequiousness
(ob = against) meaning flattery, and condemnation which
means disapproval are inappropriate in the given context.
Choice (B)
2. The words contravene (derived from the root contra
= against) and flout are synonymous. Debunk (de = down,
out, away, apart) is to demystify, refute is to contradict and
acquiesce is to agree or comply. Choice (D)
3. The word itinerant, derived form the root iter = between;
among, means travelling or nomadic. The word peripatetic is
synonymous with it. The word languid means lazy.
Capricious means whimsical. Erratic means unstable or
unreliable. Choice (C)
4. The word malodorous, derived form the root mal = bad,
means rotten or foul-smelling. The word putrid is
synonymous with it. Alluring means fascinating or
enchanting. Redolent means fragrant or aromatic.
Choice (C)
5. Ludicrous, derived form the root lud = play, means absurd or
ridiculous. The word risible is synonymous with it.
Incredulous (cred = belief) means doubtful. Disjointed (dis =
not, apart, away) means displaced and conceited means
arrogant or haughty. Choice (A)
Explanatory Notes for questions 6 to 10:
6. The words aggrieve (derived from the root griev = heavy)
and please are antonyms. Mollycoddle is to overprotect.
Beguile is to entice or mislead. Choice (B)
7. The words gregarious (greg = herd, crowd) and taciturn
(reserved) are antonyms. Odious means obnoxious or
repulsive. The words imperious and hubristic both mean
arrogant. Choice (B)
8. Coldness is the antonym of bonhomie, meaning geniality.
The word bonhomie is derived from the root - bon = good.
Bondage means servitude. Malice (mal = bad) is rancour or
animosity. Choice (B)
9. Outstanding (exceptional) is the antonym of mediocre
(of medium quality), the word mediocre is derived form the
root med = middle). The words prosaic and pedestrian mean
dull and monotonous. Exceptionable means offensive or
disagreeable. Choice (B)
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10. The word prolix (derived form the root lix = speak, speech)
means wordy. Concise is its antonym. Turgid means bloated
or inflated. Periphrastic and discursive mean bombastic or
long-winded. Choice (C)
Explanatory Notes for questions 11 to 15:
11. Catholic (derived from the root hol = whole).
12. Abdicate (derived from the root dic = to say)
13. Fidelity (fid = faith, trust).
14. Depravity (de = down, out, away, apart)
15. Gratuity (from the root grat = pleasing).
Explanatory Notes for questions 16 to 20:
16. Tortuous and sinuous (sin = curve) both mean twisted or
circuitous and are synonyms. Circumspect (circum = around)
and cautious are synonyms. obsolete means antiquated and
caustic and scathing both mean critical in a bitter or sarcastic
way. Pugnacious in (B) means war-like, belligerent, whereas
amatory (am = love) means related to sexual desire. They
have no connection. Choice (B)
17. A misanthropic (mis = bad, hate) person (one who hates
human beings) has rancour, ‘a hatred and desire to hurt
others’. Similarly one who is prudent (wise) has
circumspection (wisdom); an embodied person can be called
an incarnation and a cloistered person lives in seclusion.
Incredible means unbelievable and disbursement is the
distribution of money. Hence, the answer is (D).
Choice (D)
18. 'Regicide' (cide = to kill) refers to the act of killing a king,
'fratricide' refers to the act of killing one’s brother, 'parricide'
refers to the act of killing one's parents, and 'uxoricide' refers
to the act of killing one’s wife. But 'filicide' refers to the act of
killing one’s children and not siblings. Choice (C)
19. ‘Trojan Horse’ is a symbol of perfidy. Except (D), all pairs
have the same relationship. ‘Trojan horse’ in history refers to
a large hollow wooden horse filled with Greek soldiers and
introduced within the walls of Troy by a stratagem. So, now
Trojan Horse means someone or something intended to
defeat or subvert from within usually by deceptive means.
‘Perfidy (fid = faith, trust) is the quality or state of being
faithless or disloyal. Cornucopia is a curved goat’s horn
overflowing with fruit and ears of grain that is used as a
decorative motif emblematic of abundance. This is a
synonym of ‘bounty’ ‘Chimera’ is a fire-breathing she-
monster in Greek mythology having a lion’s head, a goat’s
body and a serpent’s tail. It also means an ‘illusion’ ‘Phoenix’
is a legendary bird which according to one account lived 500
years, burned itself to ashes on a pyre, and rose alive from
the ashes to live another period. ’Frankenstein is the
character in Mary W. Shelley’s novel Frankenstein who
creates a monster by which he is eventually killed
Choice (D)
20. Jettison, derived form the root jet = to throw, means to
discard or throw. Bowlderize is to remove something which
is improper or offensive from a text. The word expurgate is
synonymous with bowlderize. Elucidate (explain) and
explicate, disgorge (expel; pour out) and regurgitate also
convey the same meaning. The word inculpate (culp =
blame) means to accuse or blame. Absolve (solv = loosen,
free) meaning pardon or forgive is not synonymous with
inculpate. Hence only choice A does not exhibit the same
relationship as the capitalized pair. Choice (A)
Explanatory Notes for questions 21 to 25:
21. ‘Lexis’ (lex = read, speak) means vocabulary and
‘logomachy’ refers to a dispute about words. Deportment
(port = to carry) meaning demeanour might fit into the first
blank but the word ‘eugenics’ (eu = good) – the science of
improving mankind by controlled breeding – is a misfit in the
second blank 'Epistemology’, is the science of knowledge.
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Polemics means – controversial argument. Except (A) the
other choices do not have any relevance to the context.
Choice (A)
22. All choices except B are irrelevant. ‘Lucubrate’ means to study
at night and ‘luminary’ means a ‘celebrity’. ‘Amnesia’ (mnem =
remember) means loss of memory, usually, due to brain injury,
shock, fatigue, repression or illness. ‘Alumnus is a past student
of a school, college or university. Perspicuity might fit into the
first blank but the word protagonist (central character in a play
etc.) is a misfit in the second blank. The word ergophobia
(phob = fear) (fear of work) and democrat (one who practices
social equality) are illogical. Choice (B)
23. ‘Lector’ refers to a reader in a church service or a lecturer in a
foreign university who gives instruction in his native language.
’Jetsam’ means discarded material, in other words, ‘worthless
things’. ‘Nestor’ refers to a wise old man, but ‘stygian’ refers to
‘darkness’. So (B) is not a meaningful choice. ‘Progenitor’
means ancestor but ‘congenial’ means ‘pleasant’ or
‘compatible’, which makes it a wrong choice. Choice (D)
24. The word ‘but’ clearly indicates that the blanks are to be filled
with two contrasting words. She is docile or tractable, but her
job requires her to be rigid. 'Doctrinaire' (doct = teach) means
to be 'dogmatic'. ’Naïve’ means marked by unaffected
simplicity. Insouciant means light-hearted unconcern or
nonchalance. ‘Caddish’ means discourteous or ungentle
manly in behaviour. ‘Judicious’ means having, exercising, or
characterized by, sound judgment.’ Gregarious’ (greg =
crowd, flock) means of or relating to social groups.
’Prescient’ (scien = to know) means omniscience (scien = to
know) or foresight. Choice (C)
25. The clue word 'although' suggests that the second blank
should be filled with a word that means ‘similar’, because
'although' counters the word ‘difference’. Similarly, the first
blank needs a word that is synonymous with 'wisdom'. Amity
means friendly relations between nations. ‘Dour’ means
stern, harsh. It can also mean obstinate, unyielding gloomy
and sullen. Sagacity or ‘sagacious’ means one who has a
keen sense of perception and discerning, ‘cognate’ is of
similar nature or generically alike, ‘prudence’ is the ability to
govern and discipline oneself by the use of a reason.
‘Morose’ means having a sullen or gloomy disposition.
The words declivity (clin/cliv = slope, lean) meaning a
downward slope and infallible (fal = deceive) are illogical in
the given context. Choice (B)
Explanatory Notes for questions 26 to 30:
26. The words diffidence (derived from the root fid = faith, trust),
reticence and reserve convey the same meaning. Effusion
(derived from the root fus = pour) is the odd one out.
Choice (D)
27. Foreboding (fore = before), premonition and presentiment
convey the same meaning. Caveat is the odd word.
Choice (B)
28. Entreaty (en = in, into), appeal and imploration convey the
same meaning. Insinuation (sin = curve) is the odd man out.
Choice (C)
29. Diaphanous (derived from the root dia = across) is a
synonym of gossamer and translucent. Turgid does not
belong to this group. Choice (A)
30. Amorphous (morph = shape), nebulous and vague convey
the same meaning. Nascent (is the act of being born) is the
odd one out. Choice (B)
Explanatory Notes for questions 31 to 38:
31. The expression ‘quick in the draw’ is incorrect in choice B.
The correct expression is ‘quick on the draw’ meaning to be
quick to understand or react in a new situation.
Choice (B)
32. The use of the article before home makes choice D incorrect.
The correct expression is ‘…..home to’. Choice (D)
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33. The use of the word effect is incorrect in choice (A) context.
The correct word to be used here is affect, meaning to
produce or change in somebody and something
Choice (A)
34. Option D is erroneous. The correct expression is work
yourself into the ground meaning to make oneself tired or ill
by working hard. Choice (D)
35. The expression ‘------give the game off’ is incorrect in choice
D. The correct expression is ‘----- give the game away’ which
means to spoil a surprise or a joke by telling someone
something that should have been kept secret.
Choice (D)
36. The expression ‘form up’ does not make sense in choice (C).
The correct expression is ‘shape up’ meaning to develop in
a particular way, especially in a good way. Choice (C)
37. The expression ‘drop off from’ is incorrect in choice(C). The
correction is ‘------drop out of’. Choice (C)
38. In choice A the word edge should be followed by to or in. To
have an edge to in one’s voice is to have a small but
noticeable amount of annoyance in one’s voice.
Choice (A)
Explanatory Notes for questions 39 to 45:
39. The passage states that evil is not self-sustaining and that it
cannot survive on its own. Hence it is obvious that its
enduring existence requires the acquiescence (acceptance)
of the good. Hence choice (B) is apt. The words ratification
(approval), corroboration (confirmation) and patronage do
not make sense in this context. Choice (B)
40. It is stated that the irrational survives by feeding off the
rational hence it can be said that it survives parasitically. The
word triumphantly which is a positive word does not make
sense here. The words haplessly (derived from the root hap
= by chance) and dispassionately (derived from the root dis
= apart) are inappropriate. Choice (D)
41. It is stated in the paragraph that an irrational idea gains
influence by covering itself with rationality, therefore it is
obvious that it gains influence fraudulently (deceitfully).
Hence choice A fits the blank perfectly. The words
fallaciously (erroneously), forebodingly (menacingly) and
errantly (guiltily) can be easily eliminated. Choice (A)
42. It is obvious form the passage that an irrational idea covers
itself with a veneer (façade) of rationality. The words edifice
(building, structure) modicum (small amount)and protection
do not make sense in the context. Choice (C)
43. Only the word defend (protect) fits in the blank most
appropriately. The words obscure (vague), strive and
conceal (hide) are inappropriate in comparison.
Choice (B)
44. The words blatant (flagrant) and covert (secret) which have
a negative connotation are misfits in the given blank. Only
the word unequivocal, derived from the root meaning
unmistakable is most appropriate here. The word categorical
meaning emphatic is inapt in this context because here the
emphasis is on identifying evil as evil without doubt or
ambiguity. Choice (D)
45. The word impotent meaning powerless or worthless is most
appropriate in the given blank. The words indisposed, crippled
(immobilized) and incapacitated (indisposed, immobilized) are
inappropriate in comparison Choice (C)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 3
Explanatory notes for questions 1 to 5:
1. The word sacrilege, derived from the root sacr = sacred, holy
means blasphemy or disrespect. The word profanity (pro =
ahead, forth) is synonymous with it. Castigation means
severe reprimand or criticism. Choice (B)
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2. The word seminal (sem=seed) means highly original and
influencing the development of future events. The word
influential is clearly its synonym. Hypothetical, derived from
the root hypo = under, too little (assumptive, debatable),
pervasive (prevalent) and pertinent (relevant) are misfits in
the given context. Choice (A)
3. The root in the word insurgent is surg = rise. The word rebel
is synonymous with it. Insurgent can be used both as a noun
and as an adjective. If used as an adjective, the words
rebellious, insurrectionary and dissatisfied are synonymous
with it. An infidel is an agnostic or a non–believer. A
rationalist is a free-thinker. A pacifist is a peace-lover.
Choice (D)
4. The word taciturn (tacit = silent) means cold or reserved. The
word reticent is synonymous with it. The words hostile,
hubristic (arrogant) and congenial (affable) are not relevant
in this context. Choice (A)
5. The word subvert, derived from the root vert = to turn, means
undermine or weaken. Intimidate (tim = fear) is to coerce or
bully. Condescend is to demean oneself. Vilify means abuse
or curse. Choice (B)
Explanatory notes for questions 6 to 10:
6. The word desultory is derived from the root sult = jump, leap.
Desultory means aimless or haphazard. Methodical is its
antonym. Superficial (super = above) means cursory,
haphazard means aimless or uncoordinated. Choice (B)
7. The word tactile is derived from the root tact = touch. It
means perceptible or palpable. Intangible is the antonym of
tactile. Robust (strong); enervating (debilitating) and
insouciant (easy-going) are inappropriate in the given
context. Choice (C)
8. The root in the word tremulous is trem = shake, fear.
Tremulous means quavering or shaky. The word steady is
its antonym. The words irresolute (undermined)
presumptuous (arrogant) and obdurate (adamant) are not
pertinent in the given context. Choice (D)
9. Urbane is derived from the root urb = city. It means polished
or sophisticated. Boorish meaning uncultured or unrefined is
opposite in meaning to the word urbane. The words suave
(stylish, elegant), rational(pragmatic) and antiquated
(ancient) are not suitable in this context. Choice (C)
10. The word convivial is derived from the root vita / viva = life,
alive. The meaning of convivial is welcoming, friendly. The
word unfriendly is its antonym. The words jovial, vivacious
(lively) and flamboyant (flashy; dazzling) are not related.
Choice (D)
Explanatory notes for questions 11 to 15:
11. Quintessence (derived from the root quin = five), epitome
and embodiment are synonyms. Metaphor, which is a figure
of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something
to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a
resemblance, is the odd one out. Choice (A)
12. The word corroboration, derived from the root robor
= strength, is synonymous with validation and confirmation.
Elucidation (clarification) is the odd one out.
Choice (B)
13. The words conjecture (derived form the root – ject =to throw)
surmise and speculation convey the same meaning.
Exposition meaning explanation is the odd one out.
Choice (D)
14. The word commiserate derived from the root miser =
wetched, pity, means to empathize or console. Wheedle
(wax; cajole) is the odd word in the category.
Choice (B)
15. The words premonition (derived from the root mon = warn)
forboding and portent are synonyms. Exhortation
(persuasion) is the odd word. Choice (A)
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Explanatory notes for questions 16 to 20:
16. The words undermining (subverting, weakening) and
obliterating (effacing) cannot be used with fundamental
rights. It cannot be said that fundamental rights are
undermined or obliterated. Hence options A and D can be
eliminated. The words suppressing and demolishing can fit
into the second blank but the word risible (rid/ris = laugh)
(laughable) does not make sense in the first blank. The
words ludicrous (lud/lus = play) and demolishing are most
appropriate. Choice (C)
17. The first words of options A, B and D are possible in the first
blank but the word abating (subsiding) is a misfit here. Hence
option C is ruled out. Options B and D can be eliminated
because the words deterioration and erosion cannot be used
with habitats. Only option A is apt. Choice (A)
18. The structure of the sentence suggests that the words which
fit into the two blanks are contradictory. Among the given
options only the words suave (agreeable and courteous) and
stern (harsh; severe) present a contrast which is intended in
the sentence. The words charismatic (charming) and grim,
urbane (dignified) and gaunt (haggard), debonair
(sophisticated) and deadpan (emotionless) are inappropriate
in comparison. Choice (A)
19. The words lectern, (derived form the root lect = read speak)
which refers to a stand for holding a book, notes etc when
you are reading in a church, giving a talk etc does not fit in
this context. The words rostrum, podium and platform are
synonymous meaning ‘a raised horizontal surface’.
However, the term platform has a sense of being a place or
means/opportunity for public expression. Hence ‘C’ is most
suitable. Choice (C)
20. Only option A is most logical. Mutually exclusive qualities are
best described as dichotomies. But mutually analogous
(related) qualities are not chasms (braches), mutually
complementary (harmonizing) qualities are not polarities
(conflicts) mutually reciprocal (correlative) qualities are not
disjunctions (polarities). Hence options B, C and D are
illogical. Choice (A)
Explanatory notes for questions 21 to 25:
21. A pedagogue (teacher; instructor) teaches, a pontiff
sermonizes (preaches). An arbitrator negotiates but not an
arbiter. A lyricist (a person who composes songs) does not
sing. Clairvoyant (a person who is able to see future events)
and apprise are not related. Choice (C)
22. Seismic means of or related to earthquakes. Fluvial means
pertaining to rivers. Option B is incorrect because the word
pluvial is an adjective pertaining to rains. Pluvial clouds refer
to rain clouds. Fluvial means connected with rivers. Insular
means of or related to islands. Funicular refers to a railway
on a steep slope, used to transport passengers up and down
in special cars by means of moving a cable. Choice (A)
23. An iconoclast (a person who strongly opposes generally
accepted beliefs) is associated with scepticisim (disbelief), a
sophist (one who uses fallacious arguments) is associated
with casuistry (a way of solving moral or legal problems by
using clever arguments that may be false). A heretic (a
person holding a belief or opinion that is against the
principles of a particular religion) is not associated with
conformism, a jingoist (one who believes that his country is
best) is not associated with idiosyncrasy (physical condition
peculiar to an individual), an ideologue (a person whose
actions are influenced by a belief in a set of principles) is not
associated with cynicism (the belief that people only do
things to help themselves rather than for good or honest
reasons). Choice (B)
24. An imbecile (a dullard, an ignorant person), lacks intelligence,
similarly a hedonist (a pleasure-seeker) lacks abstemiousness
(self-denial; restraint). Tact is an essential quality of a diplomat.
The word virtuoso (a person who is extremely skilled at doing
something) and ethics; felon (a criminal) and erudition,
(learning) are not related. Choice (D)
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25. A prodigal (a spendthrift) lacks thrift (economy), a reprobate
(an immoral person) lacks morality. The words desperado
(a person who does dangerous things without caring about
himself or other) and fear, maverick (a non–conformist) and
rebellion, ascetic (a person who renounces physical
pleasure) and abstemiousness (renouncing things which
give pleasure) are not analogous to the original pair.
Choice (C)
Explanatory notes for questions 26 to 30:
26. Yes. The word sanctuary is derived from the root
sanct = sacred holy. It refers to a safe haven or an asylum.
27. Yes. Prescient means prophetic or psychic. It is derived from
the root scien = to know.
28. No. Proscribe is derived from the root scrib = write. It means
to ban something or to make something illegal.
29. Yes. A somnambulist is a sleep walker. The word
somnambulist is derived from the root somn = sleep.
30. Yes. The word contentious is derived from the root
tent = stretch. Contentious means arguable or debatable.
Explanatory notes for questions 31 to 38:
31. The use of ‘out’ after keep is incorrect in choice D. The
correct expression is '……keep from' meaning to manage to
prevent yourself form doing something. Choice (D)
32. The error lies in option C. The correct expression is ‘match
up with something meaning to be the same or similar.
Choice (C)
33. The expression 'light up' does not make sense in choice A.
The correct expression is 'light upon' which means to find or
think of something unexpectedly. Choice (A)
34. The phrasal verb 'jump at' is incorrect in option A. The correct
phrasal verb to be used here is 'jump on', meaning to criticize
someone as soon as they have done something wrong or
said something that you disagree with. Choice (A)
35. The expression 'look ahead' is incorrect in choice D. 'Look
ahead', meaning to think about what will happen in the future
and plan for these events, does not make sense in this context.
The correct phrasal verb is 'look forward'. The expression
('look forward + verb + ing) is used at the end of a formal letter
to say you hope to hear from or see someone soon, or that you
expect something from them. Choice (D)
36. Choice A is incorrect. The use of the article is incorrect in the
expression 'take issue with’ meaning to disagree strongly.
Choice (A)
37. '……..slow off the mark' is the correct expression in choice
C. To be slow off the mark is to be slow to act or react to an
event or situation. Choice (C)
38. The phrasal verb lead up is incorrect in choice D. The correct
expression is 'lead off' meaning to start something.
Choice (D)
Explanatory notes for questions 39 to 45:
39. Totalitarianism can be described as a threat (a danger) to
mankind but it cannot be described as a plague (epidemic,
disease) torment (agony, anguish) or burden. Hence only
option B is apt here. Choice (B)
40. The passage precisely speaks about totalitarianism (tyranny,
dictatorship) hence option A fits the blank perfectly. The
words sovereign (ruler), emperor and baron are
inappropriate in comparison. Choice (A)
41. Choice A is most appropriate in this context it is correct to
say that horrors are perpetrated. The words executed
(performed; accomplished) or worked (brought about) do not
collocate with horrors. The word interpreted is clearly out of
context. Choice (A)
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42. Only option D is most appropriate in this context. "Altruists'
justify the horrors perpetrated by them by saying that they
are doing so for the common good. The word propitiate
(appease), sustain (aid, approve) and establish don't make
sense in this context. Choice (D)
43. Throughout the passage the author states that collectivism
is a threat to individual rights. Collectivism is one of the
spiritual weapons which have enslaved (Coerced'
compelled) men. The words enriched and empowered which
are positive words are misfits in this context. The word
embittered (irked; irritated) does not make sense here.
Choice (D)
44. Those rights which men cannot be deprived of are inalienable
rights. Only option C suits the blank most appropriately. The
words ineluctable (inevitable ; inescapable) injudicious (jud
= judge) and intangible (impabable) are inappropriate in
comparison. Choice (C)
45. The word which fits into the blank should contrast with the
word evildoer, hence benefactor is the appropriate word
here. The words reprobate (outcast), puritan (prude) and
debauchee (libertine; sybarite) do not suit the context.
Choice (A)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 4
Explanatory notes for questions 1 to 20:
innocuous – positive, weak – neutral, insipid – negative
innocent – positive, flat – neutral, banal – negative
painless – positive, unobjectionable – positive,
safe – positive, sapless – negative, jejune – negative,
inobnoxious – positive
1. Only the word insipid, which means bland or tasteless, fits
into the given context.
2. Innocuous is the appropriate word in the given context. A
remark which is innocuous is not intended to offend or upset
anyone.

Set –II

3. Only the word vicious (violent, cruel) collocates perfectly with the word criminal. All the other words are inappropriate in comparison.
4. It is stated that the person led a depraved (immoral) life earlier and he now intends to turn over a new leaf. This contrast intended in
the sentence is best brought out using the word virtuous (moral, principled). Opposite of a depraved life is a virtuous life

SIMILAR IN SENSE OPPOSITE IN SENSE

way in, access, door, exit, wayout, outlet,

entrance, opening, door
doorway SIMILAR IN SENSE

development,
advancement, growth,
SIMILAR IN SENSE improvement,
RETROGRESSIVE evolution, movement
wrongdoing, lapse,
misbehaviour,
disobedience,
indiscretion OPPOSITE IN SENSE

retreat, decline, failure,

OPPOSITE IN SENSE ingress stagnation, halt,
progress
perfection, goodness hindrance
kindness, obedience,
virtue
trangression SIMILAR IN SENSE

retreat, revert,
GRESS = to stop, relapse, degenerate,
OPPOSITE IN SENSE to go move back, go back

entrance, arrival regress

closure, stay OPPOSITE IN SENSE

egress digress develop, improve,

increase, forge,
forward, strengthen

SIMILAR IN SENSE SIMILAR IN SENSE

OPPOSITE IN SENSE
exit, door, outlet, deviate, wander,
wayout, retreat be direct, stay ramble, stray

5. The words punctilious (precise, proper) and meticulous (thorough, scrupulous) clearly indicate that perfection is the appropriate word
to fit into the blank
6. Lapse meaning a small mistake, especially one that is caused by forgetting something or by being careless, is the correct word which
brings out the meaning intended in the sentence.
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 I Clin/cliv = slope, lean
(a) inclination : leaning, slope
(b) recline: lay down stretch out
(c) incline : slant, gradient
(d) proclivity : penchant, predilection
(e) declivity : declination, descent
III Mis = wrong, bad, hate
(a) misanthrope : one who hates mankind
(b) mishap : an unlucky accident
(c) misconstrue: to intercept incorrectly
II De= down, out away, apart
(a)depart : go away, leave
(b) deprecate : express disapproval, criticize
(c) deplete : reduce in quantity or numbers
(d) defamatory : spoiling the good repudiation
(e) deface : spoil the appearance of
IV Dis = not, apart, away
(a) discordant: clashing, inharmonious
(b) disparage : underrate, vilify
(c) dissuade : prevent, hinder
(d) disparate : contrasting, diverse
(e) disseminate : disperse, spread
(f) distend: amplify, expand
(g) dissipate : squander, waste

7. It is quite obvious from the context that his income was so meagre that it was hardly enough for him to lead a decent life. This
meaning is brought out only by the word comfortable.

8. ‘Scanty’ is the only word, among all the given options, that collocates with the word rainfall.

Set – III

AFFLUENT

SIMILAR IN SENSE SIMILAR IN SENSE

extra, surplus, easy, articulate, flowing,

redundant, unessential, assured, confident,
excessive, unnecessary effortless

fluent OPPOSITE IN SENSE

OPPOSITE IN SENSE
halting, stuttering
superfluous
reasonable, important, faltering, slow, inept,
useful, necessary maladroit
needed

Flu/Flux = flow

SIMILAR IN SENSE

flowing together,
meeting, confluence, flux OPPOSITE IN SENSE
union
stability, constancy,
confluence steadiness. endurance
substantiality
SIMILAR IN SENSE

fluctuation, instability,
OPPOSITE IN SENSE change, unrest

divergence, aberration,
separation, detour,
departure

9. ‘Detour’, which means a longer route that you take in order to avoid a problem or to visit a place, is the appropriate word to be used
in the sentence.

10. Only the word ‘confident’ is the appropriate word to fill the blank

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HOMEWORK EXERCISE (SET – III)
I art/ arti = skill, craft II fid = faith, trust
(a) art: painting, skill (a) confidence : sure, positive
(b) artificial: false, insincere (b) diffidence: shyness, reverse
(c) artifice : pretense, deception (c) prefidious : disloyal, treacherous
(d) artifact : relic, object (d) fidelity : loyalty, faithfulnes
(e) artful : crafty, devious
(f) artless : simple, natural
III co/com/ con = with, together IV super / sur = above
(a) compatriot : fellow citizen (a) supercilious : arrogant, haughty
(b) coalesce : unite, come together (b) supersede : succeed, displace
(c) compliant: acquiescent, conforming (c) superfluous : extra, redundant
(d) complicity : involvement (d) surfeit : excess, surplus
(e) concord : agreement, treaty (e) insurmountable :insuperable insolvable
(f) concur : agree, assent

11. Halcyon meaning peaceful and happy is the appropriate word to be used in the given context.
12. Only the word turbulent (agitated, disturbing) collocates with childhood and fits appropriately in the given context

SIMILAR IN SENSE SIMILAR IN SENSE

admiring, amorous, AMICABLE benevolence, comity,

ardent, devoted, concord, cordiality
passionate, goodwill, harmony
rapturous

amatory amity
OPPOSITE IN SENSE

aloofness, hostility,
disagreement, discord,
OPPOSITE IN SENSE illlwill, dislike
hateful,unfriendly AMI–love
hostility,

amorous amiable

SIMILAR IN SENSE

ardent, erotic,
romantic, enamour
SIMILAR IN SENSE
impassioned
passionate, lustful affable, amicable,
charming, cheerful,
OPPOSITE IN SENSE
OPPOSITE IN SENSE cordial, sociable,
lenient, mild
aloof, repulsive,
cold, frigid, hateful,
gloomy, irritable,
indifferent,
sad, rude, hasty
unfriendly

SIMILAR IN SENSE OPPOSITE IN SENSE

beguile, bewitch, annoy, bore, depress,

enthral, gratify, disappoint,disenchant,
hypnotize, spellbind disgust, dissuade,
repulse

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13. ‘Spellbound’ is the appropriate word to be used in this sentence. To hold someone spellbond is to hold some one’s attention
completely.

14. ‘Harmony’ which means a state of peaceful existence and agreement is the appropriate word to be used in the given context.

HOMEWORK FOR STUDENTS (SET – IV)

I been = good II cord/card = heart

(a) benefit: advantage, gain (a) accord : agreement; treaty

(b) benevolence: kindness, charity (b) discord: disagreement dissonance

(c) benediction : blessing (c) cordial : pleasant; genid

(d) bonafide : genuine (d) cardinal : basic, fundamental

(e) benign : kind

III be = to make, to have a certain quality IV en = in, into

(a) belittle :disparage, decry (a) enter : go into; go through

(b) belated : late, delayed (b) entice : attract; beguile

(c) bemoan: lament, be wail (c) encumber: burden; hamper

(d) befriend : make friends with (d) endemic : widespread; prevalent

(e) bewilder: confuse, boffle (e) ensconce: entrench; establish

(f) bequeath : leave, donate (f) entreat: plead, beseech

PRACTICE EXERCISE – 5
Explanatory notes for questions 1 to 20:
1. Something comes into effect i.e., something begins to
happen. Hence a
Only the word 'currant' meaning a small black dried grape
without seeds, makes sense here. Hence a
The word venal meaning corrupt is the apt word here.
Therefore b Eminent - meaning famous is the right word to
be used here. Hence aaba. Choice (B)
2. Only the word allusion (something that is said or written that
intentionally makes you think of a particular thing or person)
makes sense here. Hence (b)
The word 'conscience' meaning the part of you that judges
the morality of your own actions and makes you feel guilty
about the bad things that have done, is the appropriate word
to be used here. Therefore a.
The word wreath (an arrangement of flowers and leaves in a
circular shape) is the apt word in this context. Therefore a.
To cite is to speak or write words taken form a particular
writer or written work. Hence only a is apt here.
Hence baaa. Choice (A)
3. Only the word elicit which means to obtain or produce
something, especially information or reaction makes sense
here. Hence a
The word 'conscious' is apt here. a conscious effort is a
determined effort. Hence a
The word counsel meaning advice is appropriate in this
context. Therefore b. The word officious meaning
overbearing fits the context appropriately. Hence b.
Hence aabb. Choice (D)
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4. An ingenious person is one who is very clever and skilful.
Only a makes sense here.
Only the word flair which means the natural ability to do
something well makes sense here. Hence a.
To compliment someone is to praise someone. Only a
makes sense here.
A prerequisite means something which must exist or happen
before something else can exist or happen. Hence only b
makes sense here. Hence aaab. Choice (C)
5. Turgid style of writing refers to that style of writing which is
pompous or bombastic. Hence only a makes sense here. The
word 'tortuous' which means with many twists and turns is the
more appropriate word in the given context. Therefore a.
The word proscribe (to ban; prohibit) is apt here. Hence a.
The word principle meaning a moral rule or standard of good
behaviour is apt here. Hence aaaa. Choice (A)
6. Portent is a noun meaning an omen or prophetic sign of the
future. Potent is an adjective meaning strong and powerful.
Only a makes sense here.
The word equitable meaning fair and reasonable is the most
appropriate word in the given context. Hence b.
An inflammatory speech is something which is intended or
likely to cause anger or hate. Hence only b makes sense here.
Only the word exiguous in b(meagre; inadequate) suits the
given context. Hence abbb. Choice (B)
7. The word alter (change) makes sense in the given context – a.
The word forbear which means to prevent yourself form
saying or doing something is most appropriate in the given
context – a.
Only the word ascent (rising to a particular position or higher
rank) is apt here – a.
The word stationary (static) makes sense here. Therefore
only a is apt. Hence aaaa. Choice (A)
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8. If you wait for something with bated breath you wait for it in
an anxious or excited way. Hence a
Only the word appraise which means to assess or estimate
suits the given context. Hence a
Balmy weather refers to weather which is pleasantly warm.
Therefore b
A serial killer is one who repeatedly commits the same
serious crime, using the same method. Only a makes sense
here. Hence aaba. Choice (A)
9. To defuse is to make a difficult or dangerous situation calmer
by reducing or removing its cause. Obviously b suits
the context.
The word oral which means of or relating to the mouth is apt
here – a.
The word discreet meaning secret is apt in the given
context – a.
To pore over something is to look at and study something
carefully – b.
Hence baab. Choice (C)
10. Censure is to criticize or reprimand someone for wrong
doing. Hence b.
The word palate which refers to the top part of the inside of
the mouth also refers to a person's ability to taste and judge
good food. Hence only the word palate suits the context.
Therefore a
To broach a subject is to begin a discussion of something
difficult. It is obvious that only a suits the context.
The course of a meal refers to a part of meal which is served
separately from the other parts. Only a suits the context.
Hence baaa. Choice (B)
11. The word amoral means not concerned with or affected by
morality, immoral means 'not conforming to accepted
standards of morality. Only the word immoral suits the given
context – a.
The word complacent meaning smug or self-satisfied is apt in
the given context. Hence a.
Only the word aisle referring to a long narrow space between
rows of seats in an aircraft cinema or church makes sense
here – a. Only the word breach which refers to a split or rift
makes sense in the given context. Hence b.
Choice (B)
12. The word cue (hint) is most appropriate in the given context
– a. Only the word draft which means a piece of text, a formal
suggestion or a drawing in its original meaning, containing
the main ideas and intentions and not the developed form is
apt – b.
Only the word curb meaning control is apt in the given
context. Hence a
To ensure is to make something certain to happen. Only a
makes sense here. Hence abaa. Choice (C)
13. The word duel which refers to a deadly context between two
people is the most appropriate word in the given context.
Hence a
To hail from is to come or have been born in a particular
place. Hale means sound or healthy. Only a is apt in this
sentence. To hoard is to stack up on food money etc. hence
(a) hoarding is apt.
Foreword (a short introduction to a book) is the appropriate
word here. Hence a.
Hence aaaa. Choice (B)
14. The word mitigate (make less severe) is apt in the given
context. Hence b
Only the word career (an occupation undertaken for a
substantial period of a person's life) makes sense here.
Hence a
If someone is loath to do something they are unwilling to do
something. Further, only ‘loath’ is followed by the preposition
to and not ‘loathe’. Hence a
A diary is a book with spaces for each day of the year in
which you can write down things you have to do in the future.
A dairy is a form where milk products are produced. Only a
suits the context. Choice (A)
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15. The capitol refers to the legislative building where the U.S.
congress meets. Hence b.
The word notable meaning eminent is apt in the given
context. Hence a.
Raze means to completely destroy a city, building. Only
a makes sense here.
The word devise meaning design, frame etc. suits the
context – b. The word device is a noun and devise which is
the verb form make sense. Hence baab. Choice (B)
16. The word precedent which refers to an action, situation or
decision which has already happened and which can be
used as a reason why a similar action or decision should be
taken, is appropriate in the given context. Hence b.
The word signatory, which refers to a person, organization
or country which has signed an agreement suits the given
context. Hence b
To declare something formally is to make something public
or official. Hence a
Plain in this context refers to pure, downright. Plain bad luck
means sheer bad luck. Hence a. Hence bbaa.
Choice (D)
17. To avenge is to do harm to or punish the person responsible
for something bad done to you or your family in order to
achieve a fair situation. Only avenge makes sense here.
Hence a.
Shear means to cut off. The word sheer, which means ulter
in the given context, is apt in the sentence. Hence a.
The word refer is more apt in the given context. To refer
somebody to someone means you direct someone to
a different person for information, help action, often to
a person with more knowledge. Only b is apt in this context.
Braze is to solder or create with metals such as bronze.
Braise meaning to cook(usually meat) slowly in the liquid is
appropriate in the given sentence. Hence b.
Choice (B)
18. The word demure meaning shy and bashful is apt in the
given context. Hence a. Aggravate meaning worsen is apt in
the given context. Hence a.
To adopt is to take another person’s child into your own
family and legally raise him or her as your own child. Hence
it is appropriate to say an adopted son and not adoptive son.
Hence a. Restful refers to having a quiet and soothing
quality. Only a makes sense in this context. Hence aaaa.
Choice (B)
19. The word mettle meaning spirit and strength in the face of
difficulty is apt in this context. Hence a. Auger is a tool for
making holes. Augur means to predict or forecast. Hence a.
Metier meaning profession suits the context perfectly.
Hence a
Adept (skilful) is apt in this context – a. Choice (D)
20. The word elusive (difficult to find, catch or achieve) is apt in
this context. Hence b.
Grisly (causing horror or revulsion) is apt in the given
context. Hence a
The word quiet meaning making little or no noise suits the
context appropriately – a.
A sceptic is a non-believer. A person who doubts the truth or
value of an idea or belief. Only a suits the context. Hence
baaa. Choice (D)
Explanatory notes for questions 21 to 35:
21. Only choice C is correctly spelt. The correct spellings of the
remaining words are 'persuasive', 'unfaltering' and
'prestigious'. Choice (C)
22. Except the word 'resilience' all the remaining words are
incorrectly spelt. The corrections are ‘accommodation',
'somersault' and accomplishment. Choice (D)
23. The correct spellings of options A, B, and C are 'clamorous',
'parochial' and 'precocious'. The word 'mammoth’ is correctly
spell. Choice (D)
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24. The correct spellings are 'manoeuvre, 'precipitate' and
'legitimize'. The word 'aggrandize' is correctly spelt.
Choice (B)
25. Except the word 'acrimonious' all the remaining options are
incorrectly spelt. The correct spellings are 'fractious',
fraudulent' and narcisstic. Choice (C)
26. The correct spellings of options, A, C, and D are 'finesse',
'virtuosity' and 'squalor'. Choice B does not need any
correction. Choice (B)
27. Option A is correctly spelt. The correction in the remaining
options are 'avaricious' 'adventurous' and 'posthumous'.
Choice (A)
28. Except the word 'preposterous' all the remaining words are
incorrectly spelt. The correct spellings are 'pusillanimous',
'timorous' and 'diminutive'. Choice (D)
29. Only 'primeval' is correctly spelt. The remaining options are
'medieval', 'coeval' and 'alluvial'. Choice (B)
30. Only 'deciduous' is rightly spelt. The remaining words are
'stupendous' 'tremendous' and 'horrendous'.
Choice (B)
31. The word 'tempestuous' is correctly spelt. The correct
spellings of the remaining options are 'conscientious',
'licentious' and 'malicious'. Choice (A)
32. Options A to C are incorrectly spelt. The corrections are
'ambiguity' 'magnificence and 'solicitousness'. Choice D is
correct. Choice (D)
33. Only choice B is correctly spelt. The remaining corrections
are 'deferential', 'providential', and 'consequential'.
Choice (B)
34. The corrections are 'paean', 'panegyric', and 'acclamation'.
The word 'extolment' is correctly spelt. Choice (D)
35. Options A to C are incorrectly spelt. The corrections are
'euphonious' 'diaphanous' and 'mellifluous'.
Choice (D)
Solutions for questions 36 to 40:
36. The word 'ephemeral' is correctly spelt in Choice (B)
Choice (B)
37. Option A is correctly spelt. Choice (A)
38. The correct spelling is given in choice C. Choice (C)
39. Choice (D) has the correct spelling Choice (D)
40. Choice A is spelt correctly. Choice (A)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 6
Explanatory Notes for questions 1 to 10:
1. The phrasal verb 'square off' meaning to prepare to fight,
compete or argue with someone is appropriate here.
Choice (B)
2. 'Cut back' is to do less of something or use something in
smaller amounts. Hence option A is most suitable.
Choice (A)
3. The phrasal verb "fall apart" is most appropriate, in the given
context. If an organization, system or agreement falls apart,
it fails or stops working effectively. Choice (C)
4. 'Lay aside' meaning to keep something usually money, for
use in the future is apt in the given sentence. Choice (A)
5. The phrasal keep off, meaning not to eat, drink or use
something that can harm you, is apt in the given sentence.
Choice (A)
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6. Hold back is the correct phrasal verb to be used in this
sentence. If you hold back something such as tears or
laughter, you make an effort to stop yourself form showing
how you feel. Choice (D)
7. 'Catch up' is most appropriate in the given sentence. If you
catch up on friends you have not seen for some time, you
talk to them and find out what has happened in their lives
since you last talked together. Choice (C)
8. If a quality 'runs through' something it is in all parts of it.
Hence the phrasal verb run through is apt in the context.
Choice (A)
9. The phrasal verb 'pull down' meaning to destroy a building is
apt in this sentence. Choice (B)
10. To roll something back is to reduce the cost or price of
something. Only option C is logical in the given context.
Choice (C)
Explanatory Notes for questions 11 to 20:
11. To put on means to wear. Thus, the answer is ‘in the process
of wearing’. It is never used in the context of on oneself.
dressing up someone else. One always ‘puts on’ something
Choice (C)
12. To zero in on something means to zoom in on it, separate it
out as distinct and inspect closely. Thus, the answer is
‘narrowed down to’. Choice (B)
13. The idiomatic phrase ‘boils down to’ means ‘can be
summarized as’. Choice (A)
14. ‘Brush up on’ means to improve or refresh one’s knowledge
on something. Thus, the answer is ‘refresh’. Choice (C)
15. Burn out is fatigue, frustration, or apathy resulting from
prolonged stress, overwork, or intense activity.
Choice (C)
16. To call upon means to formally invite or request.
Choice (B)
17. To clamp down on means to act strictly to prevent
something. Thus, the answer is ‘take strict action in order to
prevent’. Choice (A)
18. To dress up means to wear elegant clothes, for a special
occasion. Choice (D)
19. To clam up means to become very quiet and reserved and
keep to oneself. Hence, the answer is ‘to be very quiet’.
Choice (B)
20. Back down means to withdraw or concede defeat. Thus, the
answer is retracted, meaning to go back upon.
Choice (D)
Explanatory Notes for questions 21 to 35:
21. Rifle means to search with the intention of stealing or taking.
Riffle is to shuffle or flip quickly through papers. Only a is
apt.
Piquant means pleasantly tart or spicy. Pique is to arouse or
provoke. Only a makes sense here.
Esoteric means likely to be understood or enjoyed by only a
few people with a special knowledge or interest. Exotic
means seeming exciting and unusual because it is
connected with foreign countries. Only a is apt.
Ambiguous is used to describe a phrase or act with more
than one meaning or it is used to refer to something that is
unclear.
Ambivalent means uncertainty and having conflicting
attitudes and feelings. Only b makes sense in this context.
Therefore a a a b is a sequence. Choice (A)
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22. Flout is to violate a rule or law. Flaunt is to show something
you are proud of to other people. Only a makes sense here.
To work for the common good is to do something for
common good so that it helps everyone. Hence b
Perpetrate, meaning to commit a violent or harmful act, is the
appropriate word in the given sentence. Hence a
Meritorious (Excellent; worthy) is the appropriate word to be
used in the given sentence. Meretricious meaning tawdry or
having little worth or value does not suit the given context.
Hence b Choice (A)
23. Beside means next to or adjacent to. Besides meaning in
addition to is the appropriate word here. Hence b.
Historic is usually used to describe something that is so
important that it is likely to be remembered. Historical usually
describes something that is connected with the study of
history. Hence b is appropriate in this sentence.
Connive in something is to seem to allow something wrong
to happen. Conspire is to agree together especially secretly,
to do something wrong, evil or illegal. Only a is correct.
Pander is to do what somebody wants or try to please them,
especially when this is not acceptable or reasonable.
Pamper is to take care of somebody very well and make
them feel as comfortable as possible. Only a makes sense
in the given context. Choice (A)
24. Bemused is to show that you are confused and unable to
think clearly. Amused is to be entertained. Only a makes
sense here. Ethereal describes something that is light, airy
and intangible. Ephemeral refers to anything lasting for a
short period. Only a is appropriate in the given context.
Accede is to agree to a request, proposal etc. To exceed
something is to be greater than a particular number or
amount.
An ascetic is a person who renounces all material comforts,
often for religious devotion. Aesthetic refers to the
philosophy of beauty or the pleasing qualities of something.
The former is appropriate in the given sentence. Hence a.
Choice (D)
25. Concurrent means existing or happening at the same time.
Consecutive means following one after another in a series.
Only a is appropriate in this sentence.
Discreet is to be careful in what you say or do in order to
keep something secret or to avoid causing embarrassment
or difficulty for somebody. Discrete means independent of
other things of the same type. Only b makes sense in the
given context.
Abhorrent is causing hatred, especially for moral reasons.
Aberrant means not usual or not socially acceptable. Only a
is more appropriate in the given sentence.
Anecdote is a short, interesting or amusing story about a real
person or event. Antidote is a substance that controls the
effects of a poison or disease. Only a is logically appropriate
in the given sentence. Choice (B)
26. Alleviate is to make something less severe.
Ameliorate is to make something better. Only a is precise in
the given context.
Eager means very interested and excited by something that
is going to happen or about something that you want to do.
Anxious means feeling worried or nervous. Only b makes
sense in this sentence.
Certainty refers to a thing that is certain. Certitude is a feeling
of being certain. The former is appropriate in this sentence.
Hence b
Lightening is a verb that means to reduce the weight of.
Lightning, which refers to the electric discharge in the sky, is
the exact word to be used in this sentence. Hence a
Choice (D)
27. Viscous means thick and sticky. Vicious means violent and
cruel. Only b makes sense here.
Aide is a person who helps another person, especially a
politician, in their job. Aid refers to money, food etc, that is
sent to help countries in difficult situation. Only b makes
sense in this sentence.
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Healthy means having good health and not likely to become
ill/sick. Healthful means promoting good health. The latter is
apt in the given sentence. Hence b
Credible means something which can be believed or trusted.
Creditable means deserving praise or approval. Only b is
appropriate in the given sentence. Choice (D)
28. Childish means silly or immature. Childlike means simple
and innocent. The latter is appropriate in this sentence.
Hence b
Voracious means eating or wanting large amounts of food or
wanting a lot of new information and knowledge. Vociferous
means expressing your opinions or feelings in a loud and
confident way. Only b is logically appropriate in the given
sentence.
Stature refers to the importance and respect that a person
has because of his/her ability and achievements. Statute,
meaning a law that is passed by a parliament, council, etc is
the appropriate word to be used here. Hence a
Faint means very small; possible but unlikely. Feint
(especially in a sport) refers to movement that is intended to
make your opponent think that you are going to do one thing
when you are really going to do something else. The word
faint makes sense in the given sentence. Hence a.
Choice (B)
29. Adverse means negative or unpleasant and not likely to
produce a good result. Averse means not liking something
or wanting to do something. Only a is appropriate in this
sentence.
Foul means unpleasant or very bad. Fowl is a bird that is
kept for its meat and eggs. Only a is correct in this sentence.
Cache refers to a hidden store of things such as weapons.
Cash is money in the form of coins, notes, etc. Only a is the
appropriate word to be used here.
Whole means complete or in one piece. Whole grain means
made with or containing whole grains, especially wheat. Only
a is correct in this sentence. Choice (A)
30. Wreak is to cause great damage or harm to somebody or
something. Wreck is to damage or destroy something.
‘Wreck havoc’ is an incorrect collocation. Therefore option b
does not make sense here. Hence a
Afflict is to affect somebody or something in an unpleasant
or harmful way. Inflict is to make somebody or something
suffer something unpleasant. Only b is more appropriate in
this sentence. Between means happening between two
people. Among means involving three or more people. Only
a is correct in this context.
Dissenting means having or expressing views that are
different from those that are officially accepted. Descent
refers to the action of coming or going down. The former is
correct in this sentence. Hence a Choice (B)
31. Its is a determiner which means belonging to or connected
with a thing, an animal or a baby. It’s which is a short from for
it is or it has, is the correct option to be used here. Hence b
Sleight of hand refers to the skilful movements of your hand
that other people cannot see. Slight, meaning very small in
degree, does not make sense here. Hence a
The word archaic means old and no longer used. Arcane
means secret and mysterious and therefore difficult to
understand. Only a makes sense here.
Decent means of a good enough standard or quality.
Descent refers to ancestry. The latter makes sense in the
given sentence. Hence b Choice (B)
32. Vain refers to something that does not produce the result you
want. Vane is a blade that is moved by wind or water and is
part of the machinery in a windmill. Only a is apt in this
sentence.
Altogether means in total. All together means all in one place
or all at once. Only a is suitable in the given sentence.
Avenge which is a verb, means to punish or hurt somebody
in return for something bad or wrong that they have done to
you, your family or friends.
People avenge something or average themselves on
somebody. You take revenge on a person. Only a makes
sense is this sentence.
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 Broach is to begin talking about a subject that is difficult to
discuss especially because it is embarrassing or because
people disagree about it. Broach is a piece of jewellery that
can be fastened on clothes. The former is the appropriate
word to be used in this sentence. Hence a Choice (D)
33. Acumen is the ability to understand things quickly and well.
Acuity is the ability to think, see or hear clearly. The former
is appropriate in the given sentence. Hence b
Allusions means containing references to another person or
subject in an indirect way elusive is difficult to find, define or
achieve. Clearly a suits the context.
Who’s is the appropriate word to be used in the given
sentence. Who’s who refers to the list or book of facts about
famous people. Whose is used in questions to ask who
something belongs to. Only a is appropriate in this sentence.
Portable refers to something which can be carried form place
to place. Potable refers to water which is safe to drink .
Hence b Choice (D)
34. Reluctance is the feeling of hesitation before doing
something because you do not want to do it or you are not
sure that it is the right thing to do. Reticent is being reserved
or uncommunicative. The latter is apt in the given sentence
Hence b.
Through means past or beyond. Thorough means done
completely with great attention to detail. Only b is apt in this
sentence.
Ascent is the act of climbing or moving up.
Assent means official agreement to or approval of
something. Only b makes sense in this sentence.
Breath, which is a noun, refers to the air that you take into
your lungs and send out again. The word breathe which is a
verb and refers to the act of breathing does not make sense
in the sentence. Only a is appropriate in this sentence.
Choice (B)
35. Conscience is the part of the mind that tells you whether your
actions are right or wrong. Conscious means being aware of
something. Only a is apt here.
Principal means most important or main. Principle is
a moral rule or a strong belief that influences your actions.
Clearly a suits the context.
Already means before now or before a particular time in the
past. All ready means completely ready or ready in all
aspects. Only b is apt in this sentence. Rational refers to the
behaviour, ideas etc, that is/are based on reason rather than
emotions.
Rationale is the principles or reasons which explain
a particular decision, course of action, belief Only b is
appropriate in this sentence. Choice (C)
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Explanatory Notes for questions 1 and 2:
1. The idiom, by the skin of one’s teeth means, just barely or
very narrowly. Thus, the answer is ‘very narrowly’.
Choice (B)
2. To keep one’s nose to the grindstone means to work
doggedly or persistently. Hence, the answer is ‘works very
hard’. Choice (A)
Explanatory Notes for questions 3 and 4:
3. Option (A) ‘stand in’ means to take the place of someone
temporarily, Choice (B) ‘stand down’ means to step down.
Choice (C) ‘stand over’ means to overlook, Choice (D) ‘stand
back’ means to let something happen. Choice (B) is the apt
choice. Choice (B)
4. Option (A) means to accede to or support a plan or
suggestion and is apt here. Option (B) means parts of
something that break off and drop. Option (C) means ‘to fall’.
Option (D) means to be tricked. Choice (A)
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Explanatory Notes for question 5:
5. Balk is to place an obstacle in the way of, hinder, thwart.
Baulk is to be unwilling to do something or become involved
in something because it is difficult, dangerous etc. The latter
is apt in this sentence. Hence b
Incredible is impossible or very difficult to believe.
Incredulous is not willing or not able to believe something.
The latter is apt in this sentence. Hence b
The noun practice means repeated performance or
systematic exercise for the purpose of acquiring skill or
proficiency. Practise is the verb form of practice. The former
is appropriate in the given context. Hence a
Waive means to refrain from claiming or insisting on. Wave
us a disturbance on the surface of a liquid body, as the sea
or lake, in the form of a moving ridge or swell. Only a fits into
the given sentence. Choice (A)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 7
Explanatory Notes for questions 1 to 5:
1. The words 'apart from', 'a famous victory' are clear-cut clues
to a positive note. Except Choice (A), the rest of the answer
choices are a mixture of both positive and negative words.
'Garnering' is obtaining or collecting something, such as
information, support etc; it is 'gathering' or 'acquiring'. Though
'bestowing' is awarding, granting, giving or presenting,
'rebuffing' is an abrupt or unkind rejection. 'Denying' and
'thumbing down' are synonyms. Choice (A)
2. The connections between physical, emotional and mental
health are accepted (regarded favourably) not regulated
(control or maintain the rate or speed) nor acclaimed (praise
enthusiastically) or disproved (prove to be false). Regular
exercise is to achieve optimal (best or most favourable)
health. It is definitely not minimal (minimum amount) or even
maximum (regulated cannot fit in the first blank) or salubrious
(health giving) health. Choice (B)
3. The sentence talks about medicine and micro-organisms,
like bacteria. You would want a medicine to destroy the
bacteria not replicate (reproduce), fortify (invigorate,
encourage) or nourish it. Antibiotics is apt in the first blank.
Nutrients and capsules are not medicines. Steroid is
unsuitable since we don't want to replicate bacteria.
Choice (A)
4. The context of the sentence, even with the blanks indicates
that interest rates have dropped (lowest level) and that this
was a deliberate attempt to tackle deflation. This context
would need ‘reduction’ and ‘prevent. Choice (C)
5. A food recipe can be learnt from a set of instructions but
hospitality cannot. Since a contrast is implied 'unlike' is apt
in the first blank. Further 'only through example' implies that
the word in the blank is imbibe (absorb) rather than instruct
(teach, direct) or observe (perceive, notice) or learn (acquire
knowledge or skill). Choice (D)
Explanatory Notes for questions 6 to 10:
6. The word has been inappropriately used in Choice (D).
The appropriate usage is ‘pitched in with’ which means to
contribute. Choice (D)
7. The word ‘right’ is inappropriately used in Choice (D).
The right phrase is ‘in her own right’ not “in her own rights”.
‘In her own right’ means “as a result of one’s own claims, or
efforts”. Choice (D)
8. The word ‘rate’ has been inappropriately used in
choice A. The rate of something is not the correct expression
to be used. When the price of something is referred to, it is
indicated by the word ‘cost’. Choice (A)
9. The word ‘stop’ has been inappropriately used in choice B,
because the word stop should be followed by the preposition
‘over’ in order to mean a ‘halt’. Choice (B)
SM1001941/171
10. The word ‘ill’ has been inappropriately used in choice D. The
correct expression to be used is a ‘sick child’.
Choice (D)
Explanatory Notes for questions 11 to 15:
11. ‘Spurt’ refers to a sudden increase in something for a short
period of time. Therefore ‘surge’ is the best substitute.
Cascade (to flow downward in large quantities), torrent
(a large amount of something that comes suddenly and
violently) and flurry (an occasion where there is a lot of
activity and excitement) are clearly unsuitable as
replacements. Choice (A)
12. ‘Whittled down’ means to reduce by repeated actions and the
word that conveys this sense is ‘eroded’. Choice (C)
13. ‘Conciliatory’ means to reconcile and the word propitiatory
meaning placatory, is similar in meaning to the word
conciliatory. Choice (A)
14. ‘Trounce’ means to defeat decisively and the word that
conveys this meaning is ‘rout’. Choice (D)
15. ‘Incontrovertible’ means ‘indisputable’ or ‘conclusive’.
Choice (A)
Explanatory Notes for questions 16 to 20:
16. 'Vituperative' and 'scurrilous' both mean bitter and abusive.
'Pristine' is synonymous with 'immaculate'. Both mean
‘perfectly clean.’ Reclusive (isolated, solitary) and
melancholic (gloomy), loud tenacious (inflexible) and strident
(loud, hoarse) are not synonymous. Choice (A)
17. 'Influential' and 'impuissant' (impotent) are antonyms. Similarly
intransigent (obstinate) and ductile (adaptable) are antonyms.
The words taciturn (curt; reserved) and stupefied
(astonished), diaphanous (thin, transparent) and awkward,
salacious (indecent) and gratuitous (spontaneous) are not
antonyms. Choice (B)
18. 'Ballista' is a catapult for hurling boulders. 'Trebuchet' is a
weapon used for hurling stones. A harpoon is a long, heavy
spear attached to a rope, used for killing large fish or whales.
A boomerang is a curved stick that when thrown in a particular
way, comes back to the person who threw it. A bazooka is a
long tube-shaped gun, fixed from the shoulder, that is used to
shoot missiles at military vehicles. Choice (D)
19. 'Bureaucracy' is the form of government run by the state officials.
'Hierocracy' is a rule by priests. 'Democracy' is run by elected
representatives and not the constitution. ‘Dictatorship’ may or
may not be by a 'monarch' Choice (C)
20. 'Vigilantes' work to promote morals in their community.
'Arbiters' work to settle 'disputes'. An 'abbeter' gives
assistance, an 'emperor' rules', an ‘acolyte’ is a ‘follower’.
Choice (C)
Explanatory Notes for questions 21 to 25:
21. Both ‘resorts’ and ‘haunts’ fit in the blank. ‘Resort’ is a holiday
place. ‘Haunt’ is a place of frequent visit since it is enjoyable.
Keeping in mind the tone of the passage and the words
‘clubs of colonial affectations’, ‘haunts’ will be the most
appropriate word. Choice (C)
22. ‘Galling’ and ‘exasperating’ can be ruled out since they mean
‘annoying’. The passage is not discussing, ‘erudite’ or
learned people but it refers to the ‘privileged’ people which
means respected and admired, and ‘hallowed’ conveys this
meaning. Choice (C)
23. After the word ‘hallowed’, the only word that would suit the
blank is ‘urbane’. It means polished and high-class. The
other three words do not pertain to the paragraph.
Choice (D)
24. The word that suits the context is ‘inertia’. It means to be
unwilling to move or be active. It is in keeping with the idea
of ‘haughty resistance to criticism’. It also takes the
preposition ‘against’ after it. Choice (B)
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25. ‘Abjuring’ and ‘abdicating’ can easily be ruled out. They
mean renounce or give up. ‘Spurning’ means to reject. The
clubs are averse to reform and continue their old practices,
unmindful of others opinions. ‘Ensconced’ conveys this idea.
Choice (B)
Explanatory Notes for questions 26 to 30:
26. Balmy means ‘warm’, barmy means foolish and crazy.
Broach is to open a sensitive topic. A brooch is a large
decorative pin or clasp. To canvass is to propagate one's
idea while canvas is a surface for painting. Bough refers to a
branch a of a tree and bow refers to the hull of a ship. Hence
baab is the correct sequence. Ans: baab
27. Censure is harsh criticism and to censor is to ban. The critics
don't have a right to ban a movie hence censure fits better.
Complacent is self satisfied and complaisant is extremely
acquiescent. To titivate to become more attractive which
makes more sense here than titillate which means to tempt.
'Palate' is one's appreciation of various tastes whereas
palette is a paint mixing board. abaa is the appropriate
sequence. Ans: abaa
28. Immure means to confine and inure is to make insensitive.
The residents were more likely to be confined to their houses
than become insensitive to them. Dual is for two people and
a duel is a flight. Wreath is a circular floral decoration usually
adorned on a tomb. Wreathe is surround. Imply is to state
indirectly and infer is to conclude. Therefore the correct
sequence is aaaa. Ans:aaaa
29. Eschew is to oppose and espouse is to support. To minister
is to attend to someone's needs. Administer is to supervise.
Inculpate is to blame and exculpate is to absolve or free from
blame. Pursuit is the act of chasing or striving. Perusal is
careful reading. C is correct. Therefore the correct sequence
is aabb. Ans: aabb
30. To beseech is to beg and bespoke is custom made. Conflate
is to create by mixing and conflagrate is to set fire to. Indigence
is poverty and indolence is laziness. As the sentence talks
about inheriting and finances indigence is more appropriate.
Inept is unskilled and adept is skilled. Since it drew flak, the
performance was inept. Option C is correct. Therefore the
correct sequence is aaaa. Ans:aaaa
Explanatory Notes for questions 31 to 35:
31. 'Collate" means to analyse and compose or to assemble
from different sources. "mustered", 'composed' and
examined will fit the blank, but "encumbered" which means
to burden can be ruled out. Choice (A)
32. 'Fragmented' means disconnected. The inappropriate word
is 'immoderate' [excessive]. Shattered, splintered broken all
mean fragmented. Choice (C)
33. "Bereft" means deprived. "emitted" is the inappropriate word
which means to send out or put out. 'Devoid', 'robbed' and
'divested', all mean deprived. Choice (B)
34. "Beset' means to attack persistently or to cover round with.
Since the mention is to ignorance, it will take the latter
meaning. Ignorance can 'besiege' [to crowd around
oppressively] it can 'perplex' [puzzle or bewilder] and it can
enclose [shut in on all sides]. But it cannot 'exert' [strive].
Choice (B)
35. 'Stultify' means to make ineffective or futile esp. as a result
of tedious routine. ‘Benumbing’ [paralyzing], ‘constraining’
(limiting) and ‘hampering’ (hindering) can fit the blank.
'Stirring effect' would mean a result of motivation. It does not
fit the context. Choice (B)
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Explanatory Notes for questions 1 and 2:
1. extending and identified: When we consider the two words
together the only right option is D. In other choices, one
word may appear to be correct as ‘relating’ in option A, but
the other one will not suit. Choice (D)
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2. Poor state of food and nutrition ‘security’ is to be
‘addressed.’ ’Value’, ‘shares’ or ‘standard’ cannot be
‘addressed.’ Options like ‘directed’, ‘attended’ and ‘focussed’
do not go with ‘on a war footing.’
Choice (A)
Explanatory Notes for questions 3 and 4:
3. The words eclat (confidence; flair) and panache (self-confidence)
share a synonymous relationship. Among the given options
the word rectitude (integrity) and probity (morality) share a
synonymous relationship. Choice (A)
4. The words humane (compassionate) and fiendish
(wicked; cruel) are antonyms. Among the given options the
words defamatory and complimentary are antonyms.
Choice (B)
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR GRAMMAR EXERCISES
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 1
1. Army is a collective noun that takes the singular verb. Hence
the correction is army has …… is poised.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-I; Rule 2)
2. Youth represents a stage of life and hence is an uncountable
abstract noun. Hence it takes the singular verb. Hence youth
is wasted is the correction.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-I; Rule 4)
3. Courage is an abstract noun, hence should go with the
singular form of the verb. The correction is Courage makes
us …. .
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-I; Rule 2)
4. Aircraft is a noun that has the same form for the plural as it
has for the singular. Hence aircrafts is incorrect. Hence the
correction is twenty fighter aircraft ……. .
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-I; Rule 6)
5. The noun cattle is always used in the plural. Hence the
correction is cattle have gathered …… .
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-I; Rule 10)
6. Information is uncountable hence takes the singular. Hence
the correction is is relevant.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-I; Rule 7)
7. Machinery is a noun that is always used in the singular.
Hence the correction is There is no machinery for …………
. Prince Charles’ friend because Charles is a proper noun
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-I; Rule 7)
8. Scissor is incorrect. It is used only in the plural. Hence the
correction is scissors that he has …… are not very sharp…..
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-I; Rule 8)
9. Measles appears to be in the plural form, but is actually
singular in usage because it is the name of a disease. Hence
the correction is measles is a disease that generally afflicts
………. .
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-I; Rule 9)
10. Six-hundred runs is considered as one unit and hence takes
the singular form. Hence the correction is six-hundred runs
is ……… .
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-I; Rule 11)
11. Uncountable nouns like advice are used with expressions
like a piece of in the singular and with much and a lot of,
plenty of in the plural. Therefore, the correction is a piece of
advice.
(Refer Q 6)
12. The correction is was felicitated because the poet who is also
a politician was felicitated. If the given sentence reads the
poet and the politician, then, it takes the plural because it
shows that the reference is to two different people.
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Explanatory Notes for questions 5:
5. fulminate – to burst out in anger : appropriate
culminate – to bring to a close : inappropriate
flounder – to struggle, to have difficulty coping : appropriate
founder – to sink, to fail : inappropriate
integrity – having high standards of ethical and moral
behaviour : inappropriate
honesty – speaking the truth : appropriate
house – the residence : appropriate
home – the residence and the circumstances and
relationships within : inappropriate
egotist – a braggart, one who thinks he's the centre of
attention : appropriate
egoist – one who is self-centred and does not think of others
: inappropriate
Therefore the correct sequence is aabaa Ans: aabaa
13. The sentence talks about one workshop that belongs to both
Raju and Ravi. Hence the possession should be indicated by
adding an ‘’s’ (apostrophe and s) to Ravi. Hence the
correction is Raju and Ravi’s workshop ………. .
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-I; Rule 14)
14. The error in the sentence is because of the apostrophe (‘s)
to the word Robert’s. The intended idea is Robert, the
author’s view. It is because, when two nouns refer to the
same person, the possessive sign is added to the latter.
(Refer to V02; Unit-I; Section–II; Rule 15)
15. It is incorrect to say novel’s first part because inanimate
things do not take an apostrophe. The correction is ‘the first
part of the novel’.
16. The correction is sisters-in-law. It is a compound noun.
Hence, the plural is formed by adding ‘s’ to the first word.
Father-in-law’s is correct because the possessive of a
compound noun is formed by adding apostrophe (’s) to the
last word of the compound noun.
(Refer to V02; Unit-I; Section–II; Rule 16)
17. The correction is the Prime Minister of Isreal’s plan. When a
noun or a title consists of several words, the apostrophe and
s (’s) is attached only to the last word.
18. The error is because of the absence of the
apostrophe (’s) to the word ‘Charles’. The ‘correction is
which ends with ‘es’ hence the apostrophe is used but ‘s’ is
omitted.
19. Bradman be`comes the common noun in the sentence
because when the article is placed before a proper noun it
becomes a common noun. The intended idea is that Sachin
Tendulkar is the best player of this age. The correction is .....
the Bradman of ....... .
(Refer to V02; Unit-I; Section–II; Rule 1)
20. The sentence has two errors. The first error is the mismatch.
The correction is a mismatch. The second error is an
information. The correction is ‘the information’ i.e., the idea
expressed is there is a mismatch in the information sent,
hence the correction.
21. The words heroine of the novel defines the name Isabella.
Hence, the heroine of the novel is the correction. Using the
definite article indicates that the reference is being made to
someone in particular.
22. The correction is the Atlantic. It is the name of an ocean,
hence should be preceded by the.
(Refer to V02; Unit-VIII; Section-II; Rule 36)
23. The sentence has two errors (1) furniture is never used in
plural (2) ... there is no room .... not place.
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24. The word team is a collective noun but the words split into
two groups indicate that the members of the team are being
talked about separately, hence the correction is they were
split ...... .
(Refer to V02; Unit-I; Section-II; Rule 2)
25. Public is a noun that always takes the plural form of the verb.
Hence the public have been …….. .
(Refer Q 5)
26. The correction in the sentence is a band of robbers has
because band is a collective noun and it should take the
singular form of the verb.
(Refer Q 1)
27. six scores boxes is incorrect. The correction is six score
boxes. Nouns used in counting (score), when preceded by
numerals, are unaltered in the plural.
(Refer Q 10)
28. The correction is two loaves of bread or two slices of bread
because it is an uncountable noun and is referred to in parts.
29. Some uncountable nouns like whereabouts can be used with
a plural verb as well as a singular verb. Hence whereabouts
………. is is correct. The sentence requires no correction.
30. The correction is for goodness’ sake. It is because the last
syllable of the word ends with ‘s’ and is followed by sake.
Hence, the apostrophe is used but ‘s’ is omitted. Hence the
correction.
(Refer to V02; Section-II; Unit-II; Rule 17)
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
1. The correction in the sentence is Raju, my cousin’s letter.
(Refer Q 16) Choice (A)
2. The expression ten year’s experience is incorrect. It is a plural
noun; hence the ten years’ apostrophe is after ‘s’ – ten years’
experience. Choice (D)
3. The correction is a Gandhian revolution because the
reference is to a type of revolution. Choice (B)
4. The word economics in the context does not refer to a
subject but to the economic details of the situation, hence
should be preceded by the. Choice (D)
5. The error is in the expression the London University. The
correction is the University of London. If it is written as
London University it does not take any article.
Choice (B)
6. The error in the sentence is goes to the church. The
sentence should read goes to church because when a place
is visited or used for its primary purpose, it does not take the.
In the second part of the senctence the church is correct
because it refers to the particular church which has been
referred to in the first part of the sentence. Choice (A)
7. The correction in the sentence is the Nilgiris because, the
names of mountains, rivers, oceans, hills etc take the definite
article.
(Refer to V02; Unit-VIII; Section-II; Rule 37)
Choice (B)
8. The correction is ... colourful stone-material nouns have no
plural forms. Choice (D)
9. Jury, a collective noun, needs to be looked at on a ‘divided
entity as the members all con’s take a simple seat. ‘Their
seats’ is correct. Choice (B)
10. A collection of crows is called ‘a murder’ It requires an article:
‘a murder: Choice (B)
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PRACTICE EXERCISE – 2
1. The error is in the ordering of the pronouns. When we talk
about a failure or negative, the order is 1st person, 2nd person
and 3rd person. Hence the correction is I, you and Michael
must take the blame …….
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 2)
2. The sentence has two errors. One is in the ordering of the
pronouns. When we talk about something good or positive,
the order is II person, III person, I person. The second error
is because of the use of the pronoun I. It should be me. The
idea intended is as follows.
Whom does the management plan to congratulate?
You, Mary and me. Hence the correction.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 3)
3. The error is because of the use of the pronoun me. The
correction is It was I ……. It + be verb always takes the
subjective case of the pronoun (i.e., I, we, you, he, she, it,
they and the be-form verbs are is/was/are/were have been,
has been had been).
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 9)
4. When neither ….. nor or either …… or are used in the
sentence, the verb agrees with the second subject. In this
sentence, the second subject members of the team is plural
and hence the verb should be have. The correction is …..
members of the team have …….
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 7)
5. The error in the sentence is due to the word that. The
correction is than those because her house is being
compared with the houses of her friends and relatives.
The appropriate pronoun is those of. Hence the correction.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 17)
6. The error in the sentence is in the usage of the pronoun me.
The pronoun to be used is I. When a personal pronoun is
connected by a conjunction with some other word in the
subjective case, it must also be in the subjective case.
(Refer Q 3)
7. The correction is It is art because it refers to art. That, as
given in the sentence is erroneous because it is an adjective
and not a pronoun.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 16)
8. The correction is him and her because if a sentence begins
with let, it takes a pronoun which is in the objective case.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 10)
9. The correction is one finds because the pronoun must be
consistent throughout the sentence.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 11)
10. The sentence has two errors. The first correction is now it’s
being ––. The pronoun it takes the apostrophe (‘s) because
the context does not require the possessive case. The
intended idea is it is. The second correction is its deliberate
destruction i.e. The usage of apostrophe is erroneous as the
possessive case is intended.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 8)
11. The correction in this sentence is reminds. Each and every
are distributive pronouns which take the verb in the singular
form.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 5)
12. The correction here is everyone does not get what is due to
him. The pronouns everyone, everybody take singular form
of the pronoun.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 22)
13. The words taught her own are erroneous. The correction is
taught herself i.e. she learnt without anyone’s assistance.
14. The correction is by its arm because child is of Common
Gender i.e. it is a noun that denotes either a male or a
female.
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15. The sentence has two errors. The first correction is guests
whom…. not who because the word guests is the object of
the sentence. Hence we use whom which is also in the
objective case. The second correction in the sentence is
enjoyed themselves. The verb enjoy is transitive which can
be used reflexively. In the context enjoy is used to denote an
action which cannot be done to anyone or anything. Hence
it takes the self pronoun i.e. enjoyed themselves.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 13; Rule 14)
16. The sentence has no error. The pronoun none can take both
the singular and plural forms of the verbs. Hence no
correction is required. Further, the pronoun he is appropriate
in the context. The sentence conveys the idea that of all the
men I know, he is less inclined i.e. it is in the subjective case
not the objective case.
17. The first correction is each other. When there are only two
people being referred to, each other is used. The second
correction is My grandmother and I.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 19 (1))
18. The correction here is he cannot help. The subject of the
sentence is anyone. It does not take one but he (when the
gender is not specified).
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 22)
19. The correction is that I have ever read. The pronoun that is
used to refer to the book.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 17)
20. The correction is has to help.
(Refer Q 4)
21. The first error in the sentence is because of the wrong
placement of the pronoun each. The correction is each
happy with ___. The idea intended is that each boy was
happy. The second error is because of the plural form of the
pronoun (their) when each is used in a sentence, it takes the
singular. Hence his prize is the correction.
22. It is incorrect to say each of us did not like ….. The correction
is None of us …. liked the movie.
23. The correction is whom I trust the most. The relative pronoun
who refers to the first part of the sentence. He is my brother,
which is the subject and the next part of the sentence should
take the relative pronoun whom because he is the one whom
I trust the most. i.e. it is in the objective case. Hence the
correction.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 15)
24. The error in the sentence is stories of her’s. The possessive
case of the pronoun and does not take the apostrophe(’s).
Hence the correction ….. short stories of hers …...
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 8)
25. The correction in the sentence is which but not who because
the relative pronoun should agree with its antecedent i.e. the
noun which immediately precedes the relative noun.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 16)
26. The correction in the sentence is everyone of us must remain
accountable because the subject of the sentence is Each of
us.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 5)
27. The correction here is one another. When the reference is to
more than two persons, one another is used.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 19)
28. The correction is is important.
(Refer Q 11)
29. The correction is it is they…..
(Refer Q 3)
30. The relative pronoun who refers to the noun boys which is
plural, hence ‘have’ (i.e., when the relative pronoun becomes
the subject of the sentence, then the verb agrees in number
and person with the antecedent of the relative pronoun). The
correction is …. boys who have .... .
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EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
1. The corrections are one’s knowledge and throughout one’s
life.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 11) Choice (C)
2. The correction is applicable because either means anyone
of the two, hence it takes the singular form of the verb.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 18) Choice (C)
3. The correction is It is they …..
(Refer Q 3) Choice (A)
4. The correction is have ever lived, because the relative
pronoun who refers to the word novelists which is plural.
Hence takes the plural form of the verb.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 12) Choice (C)
5. The correction is whom because the reference is to the girl
who is the object of the clause all of us thought so highly of.
For a better understanding you can go about like this. Who
thought highly of the girl? (all of us) All of us thought highly
of whom? (The girl). Who should be changed to whom.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 13) Choice (A)
6. The correction is who they say because the relative pronoun
refers to the noun in the subjective case.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 12) Choice (B)
7. The sentence has two corrections. The first is was asked
because every takes singular form of the verb.
The second correction is his or her text book.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 5) Choice (B)
8. The correction in the sentence is if it excludes because the
reference is to account which is the singular.
Choice (D)
9. It should be ‘to practise’. Choice (D)
10. The correction in the sentence is home-made. The word self-
made does not convey the intended meaning.
Choice (C)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 3
1. The correction is ‘Some primitive societies believe that
heavenly bodies are divine beings’. ‘Believe’ is a ‘verb of
perception’. Hence it is incorrect to use it in its continuous
form. Hence the correction.
2. The correction is ‘This flower smells sweet’. Verbs
associated with the senses are not used in the continuous
tense. Hence the correction.
3. The correction is ‘She is a gifted sportsperson who has been
displaying her talent on the tennis court for the past two
years’. When an action starts in the past and is continuing till
the present, the present perfect continuous tense is to be
used. In the given sentence the words ‘for the past two
years’ suggest that the action started sometime in the past
and the verb ‘displaying’ suggests that the action is still
going on. Hence, the present perfect continuous form ‘has
been displaying’ should be used. The sentence can also be
corrected as, ‘She is a gifted sportsperson who has
displayed her talent on the tennis court for the past two
years’.
4. The correction is ‘My brother is not at home, he went out
in the morning’. In the given sentence, ‘in the morning’
indicates the past tense. Hence ‘has gone out’ which is in
the present prefect is incorrect.
5. The sentence can be corrected in two ways, ‘Since its
inception, the organization has relied heavily on the
sincerity of its employees’. (or) ‘Since its inception the
organization has been relying heavily on the sincerity of
its employees’. The sentence takes the present perfect
tense (has relied) or the present perfect continuous tense
(has been relying) because of the word ‘since’.
SM1001941/175
6. The correction is ‘Ten people had been recruited and five
of them have resigned’. The idea expressed is a sequence
of events. The second part of the sentence requires a
different tense from that used in the first part of the sentence.
Hence the correction is ‘had been recruited’ and ‘have
resigned’.
7. The correction is ‘I have visited England and I know the
place quite well’. When we refer to an action which is
completed and the effect of which is felt now, we use the
present perfect tense i.e., (have + visited).
8. The correction is ‘A major change since the first stock
market boom of the 1990s has been the readiness of the
corporate sector to take risks’. The explanation given for
question (5) holds good.
9. The correction is ‘Last week, a web-based newspaper
covering issues pertaining to South Asia, featured an
interesting report on Baluchistan’. The given sentence is
erroneous because of inconsistency in the tense. i.e., when
adverbs of past time like ‘last week’ are used, the sentence
should be in the simple past tense. Hence ‘has featured’ is
incorrect, it should be ‘featured’.
10. The correction is ‘This obscure village is on the Indo-
Bangladesh border where people had to walk across
paddy fields before the border road was constructed a
couple of years ago’. The sentence refers to two past
situations which require the verbs in their past form. Hence
‘had to walk’ is correct.
11. The correction is ‘It is high time the teachers completed
the syllabus and started revising it’. When the phrase ‘It
is high time‘ is followed by a verb in its past form it
expresses the idea of an action not happening when it was
supposed to. Hence the correction.
12. The correction is ‘He had just entered the class when the
bell rang’. The given sentence talks about two actions. The
first completed action is ’he entered the class’ and the next
completed action is ‘the bell rang’, which is in past tense.
When the reference is to two past actions, the first completed
action should take ‘had’ (past participle).
13. The correction is ‘As soon as the teacher saw what the
boy had done, she admonished him’. The explanation
given for question (12) holds good.
14. The correction is ‘I will have completed my work by this
time tomorrow’ because, with the use of ‘by’ context in the
sentence is about a completed period of time in the future.
Hence the future perfect tense should be used i.e., (will/shall
+ have). If the ‘by’ were to be left out, the sentence would
simply be –‘ I will complete my work tomorrow.
15. The correction is ‘Although most of us wish that
employment opportunities would increase, not many
new projects are being initiated by the government’. The
sentence refers to a desire. Hence ‘would’ should be used
in the sentence. We are talking about a possibility, which is
more appropriately expressed using ‘would’.
16. The correction is ‘Today, we live in a mind-boggling
diversity, where, industrial and social development has
created many different kinds of occupations’. In the given
sentence ‘industrial and social development’ indicates a
single idea. Hence the singular form of the verb should be
used.
17. The correction is ‘A class of engineers, called ‘knowledge
engineers’, is emerging to support the experts who are
employed as independent consultants’. The subject of the
sentence is ‘class’ which is a collective noun and takes the
singular form of the verb i.e. ‘is emerging’.
18. The correction is ‘The captain, along with the members of
his team has protested against the changes effected by
the board in the selection process’. When two subjects
are combined using the connective ‘along with’, the verb
agrees with the first subject. In the context, the first subject
is singular. Hence the correction.
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19. The correction is ‘More than two-thirds of the earth is
covered with water’. The error is one of subject-verb
concord. The reference is to area, hence it takes the singular
form of the verb.
20. The correction is ‘This is one of the most interesting
novels that have been published this year’. The word
‘that’ in the sentence refers to ‘novels’ which is plural.
Hence, a plural verb is required.
21. The correction is ‘Who hung this picture on the wall?’
When ‘hang’ is used to refer to the hanging of someone or
the punishment given to a person, then both the past form
and the past participle form will be ‘hanged’. But in the given
sentence, the reference is to pictures. Hence both the past
and the past participle forms would be ‘hung’.
22. The correction is ‘Did anyone raise an objection to what
you said?’. ‘Rise’ means ‘to get up’ or ‘to come up’ which
is intransitive (i.e. does not require an object after it). In the
given sentence ‘raise’ is the appropriate verb. It means to
bring something to someone’s attention’.
23. The correction is ‘She knew that her end was near and lay
on her deathbed, praying to the Almighty’.
The verb ‘lay’ is the past tense of the intransitive verb ‘lie’.
(lie, lay, lain). Hence the correction.
24. The correction is ‘When I entered the house I found that
everything had been stolen’. The sentence is in the
passive voice. Hence, the verb should take the past
participle form of the verb.
25. The correction is ‘She said that she was busy and could
not meet anyone that day’ because ‘told’ is a transitive
verb which requires an object after it. But in the given
sentence, the object is missing. Hence the correction is ‘she
said that she was busy…..’.
26. The correction is ‘The students were happy when the
principal promised them a holiday’. ‘Promised’ is a
transitive verb which requires a direct object and an indirect
object. Hence the correction is ‘promised them’.
27. The correction is ‘In the olden days, people lived in small
caves on the mountainside’. The word 'live', when used in
the continuous form does also mean ‘to exist’ which is
awkward in the given context. Hence the correction.
28. The correction is ‘Bread and butter is the staple food of
most people in Europe’. The error is one of subject-verb
agreement. The correction is ‘Bread and butter is’. It is a
single phrase which refers to a single idea. Hence it takes
the singular verb.
29. The correction is ‘Thorough knowledge of Mathematics
as well as English is very important for you to do this
course well’. This is because the subject of the sentence is
‘knowledge’ which is abstract and uncountable. Hence, it
takes the singular form of the verb.
30. The correction is ‘While I was in Bombay, I used to play
golf every week’. (or) ‘While I was in Bombay, I played
golf every week.’ As given in the sentence, ‘was playing’ is
incorrect because the reference is to a regular action of the
past. Hence, it should be expressed in simple past.
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
1. The correction is ‘If I were you, I would not accept the
proposal’. Using ‘was’ is incorrect because we are talking
about an imaginary situation. Hence the sentence takes
‘were’. Choice (A)
2. The correction is ‘If you made your bed in the morning,
your room would look better when you get back in the
afternoon’. The verb in the if-clause (if you made your bed
in the morning) is in the past tense i.e. ‘made’. Hence, the
verb in the main clause (your room would look better) should
take ‘would’. The sentence can also be corrected like this ‘If
you had made your bed in the morning, your room would
SM1001941/176
 have looked better when you got back in the afternoon’.
The explanation is that when the verb in the main clause is
‘would have’, the verb in the if-clause will be ‘had made’.
The distinction between the two is that the former looks at
the past as a lesson for the future, whereas the latter only
looks at are unfulfilled past. Choice (C)
3. The correction is ‘If she ate fewer sweets she would lose
weight’. The given sentence is a conditional. When the verb
in the main clause (she would lose weight) is ‘would’ then
the verb in the if-clause takes the past tense. The if-clause
never takes ‘would’. Also see 16 above. Choice (A)
4. The correction is ‘I wish I had invested my money in the
stock market’. In the given context we are talking of a
hypothetical situation. Hence ‘had invested’.
Choice (B)
5. The correction is ‘How I wish there were more useful
books in our college library’. The sentence expresses a
wish and therefore the past form of the verb is used. Hence
the correction. Choice (B)
6. The correction is ‘If her mother had let her she would have
stayed longer’. The explanation given for question 16 holds
good. Choice (A)
7. The correction is ‘If you finish your work, we can attend
the seminar in the conference hall’. The ‘if-clause’
suggests a condition that should be fulfilled for something
else to take place. Hence, the verb in the ‘if-clause’ cannot
be in the past tense. Also see 16 above. Choice (A)
8. The correction is ‘Mathur feels that if his father had
allowed him to go to school, his fate would have been
different’. ‘If …… had’ in the subordinate clause and ‘would
have’ in the main clause go together. Hence the correction.
Another way to correct the sentence is, ‘Mathur feels that if
his father allowed him to go to school, his fate would be
different’. Choice (A)
9. The correction is ‘For all its intellectual power and
empirical success as a creator of wealth, Free Market
Economics rests on a fallacy, which economists have
quietly agreed among themselves to overlook’. The error
is one of subject-verb concord. The reference is to ‘Free
Market Economics’ which is the subject of the sentence and
is in the singular. Hence the correction is rests on a fallacy.
Choice (C)
10. The correction is ‘The leader of the party accompanied by
his wife and children is staying in Delhi until after the
meeting’. The subject of the sentence is ‘the leader’ which
is singular. Hence, the correction is “is staying in Delhi”.
When two subjects are combined using the connective
“accompanied by” the verb agrees with the first subject.
Choice (C)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 4
Explanatory Notes for questions 1 to 7:
1. The sentence should read ‘Mary did not attend office
yesterday. She may have gone for a picnic’. We are
talking of a possibility, which is expressed using ‘may’.
2. The sentence should read ‘She did not finish her work and
this angered the teacher. She should have done her
work’. The given sentence says that she did not finish her
work, although she was expected to do the work. (Hence
‘should have’ is the most appropriate). ‘Should have’ is
used to suggest past unfulfilled obligation or expectation.
3. The sentence should read ‘Sheela was supposed to be
here at 8 o’clock. She must have forgotten about our
meeting’. Must + have + past participle (V3) [here forget is
(V1), forgot is (V2) and forgotten is (V3)] is used to mean a
conclusion that can be drawn based on an event in past.
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4. The sentence should read ‘I don’t know where Jane is. She
could be at home’. This is because we are talking of a
probability, not a certainity.
5. The sentence should read ‘Jeniffer missed her class
today. She might have had some work’. This is because
we are talking of a possibility. ‘Should have’ is used when
the reference is to a past obligation that is unfulfilled.
6. The sentence should read ‘I would have gone on a trip to
America if I had had enough money’. The part of the
sentence ‘If I had had enough money’ suggests that ‘would
have gone’ is the appropriate option. In the given sentence
the first ‘had’ is a helping verb (Past participle of ‘have’) and
the second ‘had’ is the main verb which indicates
possession.
7. The sentence should read ‘If I had a bicycle, I would ride
it everyday’. The ‘had’ represents possession; ‘If’
represents condition and therefore needs to be followed by
‘would’.
Explanatory Notes for questions 8 and 9:
8. Ι. ‘Should’ is used to indicate a recommendation,
advice, or an obligation. It is also used to indicate
expectation. Hence, Joseph should study tonight,
indicates that it is an obligation, advice, recommendation
or an expectation.
ΙΙ to IV:
‘Ought to' indicates a moral obligation, a piece of
advice, or a recommedation ‘Had better’ indicates
that, if the given suggestion is not accepted, or
acted on, consequences await.
‘Supposed to’ indicates a moral obligation or a
responsibility.
V. ‘Must’ indicates that something is very important.
When ‘must’ is used the person usually has little
choice and should do as told.
9. Ι. ‘Could have’ indicates a past possibility or ability
(when used as the past form of ‘can’)
ΙΙ . ‘Rajani should have gone to the post office.’ This
means that she did not go. She was supposed to go,
but she did not.
ΙΙΙ. ‘Rajani would have gone to the post office’
indicates that Rajani did not go to the post office (there
must have been some reason for this). It is because
some condition (not mentioned in the sentence) was
not met.
IV. ‘Might have’ indicates that the speaker is not sure of
the occurrence or non-occurrence of the event.
V. “Ought to have” indicates a past unfulfilled moral
obligation.
Explanatory Notes for questions 10 to 14:
10. The correction is ‘He is a spoilt child, and is used to
disobeying his elders.’ This is because ‘be-form + used
to’ takes the “–ing” form of the verb. It conveys the idea of
‘accustomed to doing something’.
11. The correct sentence is ‘You had better hurry if you don’t
want to miss the train’. ‘Had better’ does not take the ‘to +
verb’ form. Although ‘had’ appears to be in the past, ‘had
better’ expresses strong advice for the future. Hence, the
structure of the sentence should be.
Subject + had better + verb.
Or
Subject + had better + not + verb. (for negative sentences)
12. The correction is ‘She had better not go alone to see him’.
For explanation refer to question (2).
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13. The correction is ‘She said that she would rather play golf
than cricket’. ‘Would rather’ expresses preference. Although
it appears to be in the past, it expresses preference in the
present and in the future. It does not take the ‘to + verb’
form.
14. The correction is ‘Larry said that he liked the way I had
my beautician do my hair.’ ‘Had’ is a causative verb (i.e.,
someone else is the cause for the work to be done) in the
context. In such cases it takes the present tense form.
Explanatory Notes for questions 15 to 30:
ΙΙ and ΙΙΙ:
Both ‘Has to’ and ‘must’ mean the same. Both are used to
indicate the imperative.
15. The correction is ‘The petitioners wanted to see a
responsible government official’. The verb ‘want’ does
not take ‘that’ but it takes the ‘to + verb’ form.
16. The correction is ‘His mother forbids his studying late into
the night’. (or) ‘His mother forbids him to study late into
the night’. Forbid takes ‘to’ (or) ‘the possessive form’ of
the noun/pronoun + the ‘ing-form’ of the verb. (We forbid
someone to do something and not from doing something. It
does not take an ‘ing’ form of the verb).
17. The correction is ‘She makes all the students do their
work’. ‘Make’ does not take the to + verb form. It takes the
plain form of the main verb.
18. The correction is ‘The management wants every
employee to be sincere and hardworking’. The verb
‘want’ should not be used with a ‘that clause’. It should be
used with the to-infinitive (to + verb).
19. The correction is ‘Someone should help her because she
does not know how to perform the task’. ‘Know’ when
followed by an infinitive (to + verb) it expresses ability.
(Hence, the structure should be subject + know how + to +
verb) In the given context we are talking about the ability to
do something.
20. The correction is ‘His speech was difficult to follow’. Here
‘follow’ means to understand, ‘to be followed’ is incorrect,
because ‘difficult’ takes (to + verb) from. It does not take ‘to
be’ because the ‘be – verb’ does not follow ‘to’ after the
adjective ‘difficult’. (Hence, the structure should be difficult
+ to + verb).
21. The correction is ‘He stopped smoking because he is
afraid that it may affect his health’. ‘Stop’ does not take a
‘to + verb’ form after it. It takes the ‘ing’ form of the verb. AS
is the sentence means that the halted somewhere to smoke,
but the following reason would be incongruous.
22. The correction is ‘All of us at the office have been looking
forward to meeting our new colleague’. The verb phrase
‘look forward to’ takes the ‘ing-form’ of the verb.
23. The correction is ‘The counsellor asked me if I would mind
waiting’. The phrases ‘do not mind’ and ‘would mind’ take
the ‘ing’ form of the verb.
24. The correction is ‘Most interviewers insist on recruiting
people who make a favourable impression’. The verb
phrase ‘insist on’ takes an ‘ing-form’ after it.
25. The correction is ‘Her parents tried to dissuade her from
marrying an old man’. ‘Dissuade’ takes the preposition
‘from’ and the gerundial (ing – form which acts as a verbal
noun) form of the verb.
26. The given sentence says that most children enjoy doing
something. ‘Enjoy’ does not take the to + verb form. It takes
the ‘ing form’ of the verb. Hence, the correction is ‘Most
children enjoy playing board games and participating in
sports’.
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27. The correction is ‘I am thankful to you because you
helped me (to) get this job’. (or) ‘I am thankful to you
because you helped me in getting this job’. In the given
sentence, ‘help’ is used as a causative verb. In a causative
verb, the person does not perform the action directly. It takes
the plain verb form, or ‘help + in + v-ing’.
28. The correction is ‘While I was walking in the garden, I
heard the clock strike ten’. The given sentence conveys
the idea that, while the clock was walking in the garden, it
struck ten, which is absurd. In the given sentence, we don’t
find any noun or pronoun to which the participle ‘walking’
refers. Hence the correction.
29. The correction is ‘While I was going round the corner, I
saw a horrible sight’ or ‘he / she / they (were). For
explanation refer to question (29).
30. The correction is ‘The doctor suggested that I (should) use
these medicines regularly’. This is because the verb
‘suggest’ should be used with a ‘that........’ clause. It cannot
be used with the to-infinitive.
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Explanatory Notes for questions 1 to 10:
1. The correction is ‘I was displeased at your coming late’.
‘Coming’ in the given sentence, is a gerund (i.e. a verb
acting as a noun). It should be preceded by the possessive
case of the pronoun. Choice (D)
2. The correction is ‘I think you should let your hair grow’.
‘Let’ does not take the to + verb form. Choice (D)
3. The correction is ‘As she does not want to make the issue
public, she avoids meeting people’. The error is due to the
wrong usage of the verb. The verb ‘avoid’ is incorrectly used
with the to-infinitive. It should be used with the gerund
(a verbal-noun) i.e., the ing-form. Choice (D)
4. The correction is ‘I hope this book helps you (to)
understand the concept better’.
The explanation given for question (28) holds good.
Choice (C)
5. The correction is ‘I like the way Ramesh makes his son do
his homework neatly’. ‘Make’ does not take the to + verb
form. Choice (D)
6. The correction is ‘You had better meet the principal if you
want to be sure of securing admission to this college’.
Although ‘had’ appears to be a past tense word, ‘had better’
expresses advice for the future. It should not be followed by
a to-infinitive or a past form of the verb. Choice (B)
7. The correction is ‘Although these boys are twins they
don’t tend to think alike’. ‘Tend’ takes the ‘to + verb’ form.
It does not take the ‘ing’ form of the verb. Choice (D)
8. The correction is ‘It is not necessary that you take an
entrance examination to secure admission to a business
school’. ’Must’ is redundant. Hence the correction.
Choice (B)
9. The correction is ‘In today’s competitive world, even small
businesses had better advertise on T.V. in order to be
able to compete effectively’. For explanation refer to
question (2). Choice (C)
10. It should be than practising.
(Refer to V02; Section–II; Unit-II; Rule 1 (a))
Choice (D)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 5
1. The errors are “often bear highest costs of ------". The
adjective form of ‘environment’ is ‘environmental’. The
second error is that – an adjective, when used in superlative
degree should be preceded by the definite article ‘the’.
Hence, the sentence should read. “It is the poor and
vulnerable communities that often bear the highest costs of
environmental degradation”.
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2. The correction is “the safest form --------”. Two comparatives,
or two superlatives don’t go together.
Also, the word ‘airlines’ is used here to refer, to the type of
passengers and should therefore be ‘airline’.
Hence the sentence should read “Though flying is the safest
form of travel it terrifies 40% of airline passengers”.
3. The correction is “will be felt sooner than -------”. The
comparative degree of ‘soon’ is ‘sooner’ not ‘more soon’.
Hence the sentence should read “The effects of climate
change will be felt sooner than scientists expect and the
world must learn to live with the effects”.
4. The correction is “no one listened to it more keenly”. The
question sentence conveys the idea that the speaker’s
grandfather listened to jazz more loudly; which is absurd
because listening cannot be done loudly. The music can be
played loudly. Music can be listened to keenly. Hence the
sentence should read “I used to listen to jazz, but no one
listened to it more keenly than my grandfather”.
5. The correction is “the more hard working” of the two. When
only two things or two people are being compared and if the
sentence consists of the phrase (of the two) the structure
would be the + Adjective in the comparative degree. Hence
the sentence should read “Though both the brothers are
successful businessmen the younger one is the more
hardworking of the two”.
6. There are two errors:
‘Valiant’ can be used either before ‘efforts’ or before ‘British’,
but cannot be placed between ‘British’ and ‘explorers’.
The second error is “more clear”. It has to be ‘clearer’ as the
comparative form of ‘clear’ is ‘clearer’ and not ‘more clear’.
The comparative ‘clearer’’ is appropriate since they want to
make the picture ‘clearer’ than what it was before.
7. The correction is ‘debilitating ailment’. ‘Debilitated is a verb
hence it is not appropriate in the context. ‘Ailment’ is the
noun which should be qualified and hence ‘debilitating’
would be the appropriate qualifying word. Hence the
sentence should read “Depression is a debilitating ailment
which can destroy the quality of our lives and the lives of
people close to us”.
8. The correction is “as contemptuous as we are -----". “As
much contemptuous as -----" is an inappropriate usage.
Hence the correction. The sentence should read “I have not
come across any other society as contemptuous as we are
of countries that have done well "Better” is inappropriate as
no comparison is being made with that word.
9. The correction is ‘democratic temperament’. ‘Democratic’ is
the adjectival form which conveys the idea that the author’s
attitude reveals an inclination or predilection for the
principles or ideas of democracy. Hence the sentence
should read “The author’s attitude reveals a democratic
temperament worthy of admiration at a time when intolerance
has become the dominant philosophy".
10. The correction is “little known poet”. The idea conveyed
would be a poet little known i.e. not known. ‘Less known’ is
incorrect because ‘less’ is the comparative degree of ‘little’,
which is not appropriate in the context.
11. The correction is “Man is unique among -------“. ‘Unique’ is
an adjective which means distinct or different from others. It
does not take ‘more’ or ‘most’ before it i.e. it does not exist
in comparative or superlative degrees. Hence the sentence
should read “Man is unique among all beings because he
has a personality beyond the body, mind and intellect.”
12. The correction is “an imposing ten foot-tall black stone idol”. The
phrase ten-foot-tall is an adjective qualifying stone. Hence, it
does not take the plural form i.e. when a noun is preceded by a
compound word, the latter becomes an adjective and would be
singular. Hence the sentence should read “At the entrance to the
Ashram, we find an imposing ten-foot-tall black' stone idol of
Lord Krishna on a pedestal'.
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13. The correction is “only a few brave souls or ‘few brave souls’
--------. “Few brave souls” means that hardly any brave
people exist and would not need ‘only’. When the adverb
‘only’ is used, the idea to be expressed is that some do exist
i.e. ‘a few brave souls --------." Hence, the sentence should
read. “There are only a few brave souls in the world who dare
to conceive the truth and follow it to the end” or “There are
few brave souls…..."
14. The question sentence has two errors.
1. The usage ‘more high’ is incorrect. The comparative
degree of ‘high’ is ‘higher’. Hence, the correction is
‘higher at present -----'.
2. The second error is ‘than in the poor ones’. It has to
be ‘than in the poorer ones’ since a comparative is
required in that context.
15. The correction is “...... he believes are less than his brother’s
(savings)”. The sentence has two errors. One is the usage
‘lower than’. The correction is “less than”. The second
correction is “his brother’s”. The comparison is between ‘his
savings’ and his brother’s savings’. Hence the sentence
should read. “Len wants to increase his savings, which he
believes are less than his brother’s”.
16. The error is the use of the word ‘expedite’, which is a verb. It
should be ‘expeditious’. Also, the second correction would
be “is ‘the’ easier and more expeditious of the two solutions".
‘Easier more expeditious’ is regarded as a single adjective
phrase describing the solution and hence ‘the’ should
precede the phrase. The sentence should read “Allocations
of funds to train intelligent people who would be capable of
becoming leaders is the easier and more expeditious of the
two solutions."
17. The correction is “among the perfectly executed --“.
Adjectives like ‘unique’ ‘perfect’ do not have the comparative
or superlative forms. Hence, the sentence should read '“The
Milkmaid” is among the perfectly executed works of Ravi
Varma.
18. The correction would be ‘opposing forces’ as ‘opposing;
ideas, forces or tendencies are totally different from each
other. ‘Opposed’ would be the past participle and ‘opposing’, the
present participle. Since the forces are always different from
each other, opposing should be used.
19. The correction is ‘little surprise’ and not ‘a little surprise’.
‘Little surprise’ in this context would mean that it is not
surprising at all that the festival has became dear to Tamil
Nadu because of reasons mentioned in the sentence.
20. The sentence has two errors. One is the usage ‘less side
effects’, since the reference is to ‘side effects’ which are
countable, the usage ‘less’ is incorrect. The correction is
“fewer side effects”. When the reference is to number we use
‘few’ and when it is to quantity we use ‘less’.
The second error is the usage “preferred than”. ‘Prefer’ is
followed by ‘to’ not ‘than’ Hence, the correction is “preferred
to chemical drugs by many”. Hence, the sentence should
read. “Traditional Chinese medicine comes from natural
herbal sources and is believed to have fewer side effects and
is preferred to chemical drugs by many."
21. The correction is “inferior to that of the westerners”. The
adjective ‘inferior’ takes ‘to’ not ‘than’.
The sentence should read. “It is time the world understood
that our intelligence is by no means inferior to that of the
westerners”. The comparison is between the intelligence of
Indians and that of the westerners.
22. ‘Economical’ has to be replaced with ‘economic’.
‘Economical’ – providing good service or value in relation to
the amount of time or money spent; low-cost, inexpensive.
‘Economic’ is connected with trade, industry and
development of wealth of a country an area or a society.
Hence, ‘economic’ is the appropriate adjective in the given
context.
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23. The adjective ‘fine’ should be replaced with ‘finest’ as the
context demands an adjective in the superlative and not in
the positive degree. Also, ‘the countries’, leads to the
superlative.
24. Since two things are being compared, the comparative
‘more’ has to come in. Hence, ‘opine that it is more
difficult….’
25. The sentence should have 'latter' (the second of the two
options) and not 'later' (the comparative form of late) – The
sentence should read '...... was prepared for the latter when
........'
26. The sentence should have the comparative and not the
superlative degree since only two things are compared.
Hence, "..... it is more important ...... (not most)."
27. ‘Prejudices’ should be preceded by an adjective – ‘religious’
and not religion, which is a noun.
28. The word 'most' should be deleted. It should be '...... one of
the few sources of water'. The comparative and superlative
for few are 'fewer' and 'fewest'.
29. The correction is ‘a little quiet thinking’ and not ‘little quiet
thinking’. ‘Little quiet thinking’ would mean hardly any quiet
thinking, which is not what the sentence is intended to
convey. ‘A little quiet thinking’ would mean ‘some quiet
thinking’ and hence is appropriate is the given context.
30. The right adjective is ‘impressive’. ‘Impressionable’ means
‘easily influenced or affected by something or somebody’.
Something that is ‘impressive’ impresses you, for example
because it is great in size or degree, or is done with a great
deal of skill.
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
1. The correction is “No other architecture seems ------” The
question sentence suggests that the ‘mighty citadels’ are
being compared with themselves. Hence the sentence
should read “No other architecture seems to express so
forcefully the spiritual longings of humanity as these mighty
citadels of faith towering over town and country.”
Choice (A)
2. The correction is “the only source of energy or the major
source of energy” as an adjective should precede ‘source of
energy’, without which the sentence would be incomplete.
Choice (B)
3. The correction is “with the historical background”. Historic
means that which is important in history, or likely to be
considered important at some time in the future. Historical would
mean connected with the past. Hence, ‘historical’ is the suitable
adjective in the above context. Choice (A)
4. The correction is “these changes are faster than at any other
time after birth”.
The comparison is between the changes that occur during
infancy and those that occur at any other time after birth,
hence the correction. The sentence should read “The
changes in the overall size of a child’s body are the most
obvious signs of physical growth and during infancy, these
changes are faster than at any other time after birth."
Choice (D)
5. The words '........ made engineering studies of the famous
two bridges ......' is incorrect. It should be '..... studied the
engineering of the two famous bridges ......'
Choice (B)
6. The sentence combines the comparative (bigger) and the
superlative (most imminent). The correction should
be '........ that its biggest and most imminent military threat
.......' Choice (C)
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7. The correction is ‘richer . . . than we realize’. The adjective
should be in the comparative degree in the above context.’
Choice (C)
8. The sentence has the structure 'not so much this as that';
hence 'as' must precede 'that "....... with this criticism as that
they .......'. Choice (B)
9. The sentence takes the superlative 'the greatest' and not the
comparative 'greater'. The sentence should read '....... it is of
the greatest importance to ........'. Choice (A)
10. It should be 'most travellers' not 'more travellers'.
Choice (B)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 6
1. Here, ‘rapidly’ is the adverb of degree and it should be placed
before the adjective i.e., changing. An adverb of degree
modifies an adjective or another adverb and it is placed
before the adjective or adverb. Here, the correction is . . .
rapidly changing moods’.
2. The error lies in the positioning of the adverb. When we have
verb + preposition + object, the adverb can be either before
the preposition or after the object. But if the object contains
a number of words we put the adverb before the preposition.
Hence, here, the correction is ‘He looked suspiciously at
the . . .’
3. Further is used to denote place or position rather than
distance. When used figuratively ‘further’ denotes distance,
as in the given context. Farther is used to denote distance.
Hence, there is no correction required.
4. The error lies in the positioning of the adverb. The adverb
should be placed after the verb. Hence the correction is ‘. . .
is universally taken . . .’. Or ‘universally, the increase in levels
. . . .’
5. Here, the adverb is used to modify the adjective ‘unique’.
Because according to the sentence honey is unique in terms
of nutrition. Hence the correction here is ‘……nutritionally
unique’.
6. The adverb ‘scarcely’ is used erroneously here. ‘Scarcely
can mean almost not and is used as ‘Scarcely ever’,
‘Scarcely any’ or ‘Scarcely . . . when’. The correct adverb
which should be used here is ‘rarely which denotes the
adverb of frequency.
7. The error lies in the usage of ‘before’ instead of ‘ago’. ‘Ago’
denotes a period of time from the present, dating backwards
whereas ‘before’ as an adverb means earlier or in front of.
Here, the reference is to billions of years backwards. Hence
the correct adverb here is ‘ago’.
8. The adverb of quantity ‘such’ is used here erroneously. Here,
the reference is not to quantity. The correct adverb to be
used here is ‘so’.
9. The sentence is erroneous because of the word ‘highly’.
‘Aims highly is an incorrect expression. The correction is
aims high.
10. The adverb ‘visibly’ should precede the adjective ‘upset’
which it modifies. Hence ‘. . . visibly upset’.
11. The adverb ‘very’ should not be used before a comparative
adjective (higher). The correction is ‘. . . much higher’.
12. The sentence is erroneous due to the usage of the wrong
adverb. The correction is ‘far and wide’.
13. When the reference is to a higher degree than is natural,
proper or expected ‘too’ should be used and not ‘very’.
14. The adverb of frequency is always placed between the
subject and the verb. Hence the correction is, ‘He and his
wife seldom see eye to eye’.
SM1001941/180
15. The sentence is erroneous because of the word ‘quiet’ which
is actually an adjective. The correction is ‘quite’.
16. The correction here is ‘twenty years ago’. The reference here
is to a period of time from the present dating backwards.
Hence the appropriate adverb is ‘ago’. The sentence should
read “I visited Delhi twenty years ago”.
17. If a past participle is used in the purely adjectival sense, it is
modified by ‘very’ and not by ‘much’. Hence the correction is
. . .’very learned man.’
18. The adverb ‘fairly’ is used only with favourable adjectives
and not with unfavourable ones. The appropriate adverb
here is rather.
19. ‘Scarcely’ should be followed by ‘had’ or did. The correction
here is ‘Scarcely had the train arrived on the platform when
the people started rushing towards it’ or scarcely did the train
arrive when the people start rushing towards it.
20. The adverb ‘enough’ should always follow the adjective
which it modifies. The correction here is ‘. . . smart enough’.
21. The error lies in the positioning of the second adverb
‘extremely’. Here the correction is ‘. . . extremely penitent
about it’.
22. The sentence implies that stress has a negative effect on
productivity. Hence the adverb ‘negatively’ should follow the
word which it modifies . . . ‘Stress affects productivity
negatively . . . ’
23. The adverb ‘since’ is used erroneously. Since as an adverb
refers to a time in the past until a later past time, or until now.
The correct adverb which should be used here is, ago. Ago,
which denotes a period of time from the present dating
backwards, is appropriate here.
24. Although both ‘fairly’ and ‘rather’ mean moderately, ‘fairly’ is
used with favourable adjectives and ‘rather’ is used with
unfavourable ones. Here, the reference is to the heat of the
tropical plains and contains the idea of being unfavourable.
Hence the appropriate adjective would be ‘rather’ and not
‘fairly’.
25. The adverb ‘much’ is used erroneously. The correction is
‘very’. ‘Very’ qualifies adjectives in the positive degree and
much qualifies them in the comparative degree (much more
essential).
26. The sentence is erroneous due to the usage of the wrong
adverb ‘fairly’. ‘Fairly’ is used to denote moderately and
hence does not fit into the context. The sentence implies that
no more than a few years before the birth of Christ the earth
was battered by an earthquake, hence the appropriate
adverb which should be used here is ‘barely’. Barely is used
to denote ‘not more than’.
27. The error lies in the positioning of the adverb. The adverb
‘historically’ can either begin the sentence –‘Historically,
Britain has been . . .’ –or it can be ‘Britian has historically
been a . . .’ in order to mean from the point of view of history.
28. The adverb should follow the adjective. The rule is adjective
+ enough + infinitive. Hence the correction is ‘. . . well enough
to . . .’
29. The adverb ‘enough’ which means sufficient is always
placed before the adjective or adverb. Hence the correction
is . . . ‘fast enough to keep pace . . .’
30. The word ‘increasing’ should be replaced by the adverb of
degree i.e., increasingly, because it answers the question
how seriously is it treated?
31. When there are two or more adverbs after a verb (and its
object), the normal order is adverb of manner, adverb of
place and adverb of time. Hence in this sentence the correction
is ‘The minister categorically denied his involvement in the
scam at the meeting with media persons last night’.
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32. You value something ‘highly’ and not ‘deeply’. Hence the
adverb ‘highly’ should replace ‘deeply’ in order to make the
sentence grammatically correct.
33. The adverb ‘sometimes’ modifies the adjective awful and
hence it should precede the adjective. Hence the correction
is “. . . sometimes awful consequences’.
34. The adverb ‘far and away’ which means beyond comparison
is misplaced. It should be placed after is’.
35. The error lies in the usage of the adjective instead of the
adverb. The adverb ‘dearly’ should replace the adjective
‘dear’ in order to indicate how a mere episodic response will
affect the country.
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
36. The error is in the adverbial phrase – the correct phrase is ‘.
. . market democracy will reign supreme . . .’. Here, the word
‘supreme’ qualifies market democracy.
37. The error lies in the use of the incorrect adverb. Here ‘barely’
is used instead of ‘rarely’. Barely is used for degree whereas
here, the reference is to frequency hence ‘rarely’ (i.e., not
often) should be used in order to make sense.
38. The error is in the adverbial phrase. The correction is ‘….
understandably so . . .’.
39. The error lies in the positioning of the adverb. ‘Appreciably’
which is an adverb of manner should always be placed after
the verb. The correction is ‘. . . raised appreciably’.
40. Here, the adverb ‘farther’ which denotes distance is
inappropriate. The adverb further, which is used to refer to
development, progress etc., would be appropriate.
41. ‘Fairly’ is used to express approval, while ‘rather’ is used to
express disapproval. Here, the reference is to an
unfavourable adjective. Hence, ‘rather’ is appropriate here
. . .’ these rather esoteric phenomena’.
42. The adverb ‘much’ is used erroneously. Much qualifies
adjectives in the comparitive degree and not in the positive
degree. Hence the adverb ‘very’ would be appropriate here.
43. The error lies in the placement of the adverb, mostly. It is
correct to say ‘mostly mountainous country’.
44. The sentence presents a contrast between what scientists
now believe and what they believed earlier. Hence the
adverb once in the last part of the sentence should be placed
before ‘thought’.
45. The sentence is erroneous because of the usage of the
modifier ‘more’. ‘So’ is more appropriate.
46. The adverb ‘much’ is used erroneously. When the reference
is to a higher degree than is desirable, natural, proper or
expected, the adverb ‘too’ should be used and not much ‘. .
. too rapidly . . .’
47. The sentence is erroneous because of the word ‘justly’. The
word ‘justly’ which means ‘in a morally fair manner’ does not
make sense in this context. The correction is
“. . . supplied key insights just at the right moments”.
48. The sentence is erroneous because of the word ‘presently’
which refers to the time of speaking or writing. Here the
reference is to contemporary secular societies hence the
appropriate adverb to be used here is ‘today’s secular
societies’.
49. The adverb ‘enough’ is always placed before the noun.
Hence the correction is enough ‘room’.
50. The correction is ‘at present’ and not ‘presently’.
SM1001941/181
 PRACTICE EXERCISE – 7
1. When two clauses presenting similar or connected ideas are
put together, the correct conjunction to be used is ‘and’ not
‘but’. In this sentence losing weight and preaching about the
virtues of diet and exercise are related ideas. Secondly, diet
and exercise help in losing weight not diet or exercise.
2. The correct conjunction to be used in this context is yet.
When ‘yet’ is used in a sentence it conveys the meaning
in spite of. ‘Yet’ like ‘but’ ‘and’ ‘or’ is a coordinating
conjunction which joins two main clauses. Yet, deprived of
power himself . . . . .
3. As to help is erroneous. For helping me is appropriate to join
the clauses. ‘For’ in this context means in order to.
4. The correct subordinating conjunction to be used in this
context is ‘whether’ and not ‘if’ which denotes a condition
rather than a choice.
5. This sentence should begin with the subordinating
conjunction ‘if’ to indicate the two contrasting situations
introduced by ‘things were no better . . ..
6. The error is in the use of the subordinating conjunction
‘though’ with ‘even’, which implies that the valley is beautiful
in spite of the fact that it is out of bounds. Hence the use of
‘yet’ in place of ‘even though’ conveys the right meaning that
in spite of being a beautiful spot, it is out of its locational
disadvantage.
7. When we wish to combine two ideas the compound
conjunction ‘as well as’ or the conjunction ‘and’ should be
used, and not the preposition ‘with’.
8. Some conjunctions are used in pairs and are called
correlative conjunctions. ‘Both’ should be used with ‘and’ not
‘or’. Hence the sentence should read ‘sources say….. both
curtailing productions to increase shortages and prices and
that a cartel is at work…..”
9. The correlative conjunction ‘not only’….. should be followed by
‘but also’. Hence the sentence should read not only the
individuals who have delivered them but also the people…….
10. The ‘wherever they are’ should be followed by here, there, OR
somewhere else. Hence at home, in hotels, or on the road.
11. ‘Not only…..but also’ is the correlative conjunction and
should be used together. Hence ‘setting out not only
technological goals but also . . . . is the correction
12. ‘Whether…or’ is another correlative conjunction used with
two conditional statements. Hence the sentence should
read….whether you are confronting hurricanes in the east or
fires and earthquakes in the west.
13. ‘Even if’ is the correct compound conjunction to be used to
indicate the meaning of ‘in spite of’. ‘Even though’ is erroneous.
14. ‘Neither….. nor’ is a compound conjunction that we use to
indicate two negative ideas.
‘Neither followed by ‘or’ is erroneous. It should be used with
nor.
15. The error is in the positioning of the compound conjunction
‘either…..or’. The ‘either’ should be placed after the verb when
the verb is applicable to both clauses. Hence the correction
is….. ‘they die either in the womb or just after birth’.
16. One should know one’s capacity for loss before one starts
trading not after.
17. The conjunction to be used when we make comparisions is
‘than’ and not ‘then’.
18. The conjunction ‘until’ refers to a time frame. The given
sentence however, indicates a condition. Hence ‘unless’
should be used in place of ‘until’.
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19. The given sentence denotes a continuation of the protest till
a certain time. Hence the correct conjunction is until and not
unless which denotes a condition.
20. The correct compound conjunction to be used in this context
is ‘so that’ and not ‘such that’.
21. ‘Idea of’ death and resurrection would be apt since the ideas
are presented in the sentence. Idea about something is an
opinion or belief about something, which is not suitable in the
given context. Choice (C)
22. ‘Commented upon’ would be apt in the given context. You
comment ‘on’ or ‘upon’ something. Also, you have a
comment to make ‘about’ something. Commented ‘by’ in the
above context makes the sentence incomplete. ‘At’ and
‘against are not used with comment. Choice (C)
23. ‘Viewed in’ the perspective of another culture is apt in the
above context. Viewed beside, beyond and despite do not
suit the context. If viewed outside the prespective they will
not disclose any unexpected meanings. Choice (D)
24. ‘Since’ is the right preposition as the chasm which started at
that time is continuing to widen. ‘has been’ points to the right
choice. Choice (C)
25. ‘Making regular small savings’ is the behaviour ‘of’ the
customer. The blank cannot accommodate any of the other
prepositions. Choice (B)
26. ‘Stand on’ something is to have a particular attitude or
opinion about something or towards somebody.
Choice (C)
27. ‘Most of the activity’ suggests that ‘concentrated in’ (a
particular place) is the right option. ‘Concentrate on’ would
mean to give all your attention to something. Along would
mean by the side of, on the edge of something and hence
would not be apt in the above context. Concentrate is not
used with over and with. Choice (C)
28. Since you sell something ‘to’ someone, ‘to’ would be the right
preposition in the above context. Choice (D)
29. ‘The most’ authoritative points to the answer. ‘Of’ all the
tomes, ‘History…’was the ’most’ is apt. The rest of the
prepositions will not bring out the intended meaning.
Choice (C)
30. No preposition is required after tackle. Choice (D)
31. To ‘restore something to’ its former condition, is to bring it
back to the way it used to be. Choice (A)
32. ‘Reflect on’ would be the right combination. It means ‘to think
carefully and deeply about something’. Choice (C)
33. Oscillation is a regular movement between one position and
another. Hence ‘between’ would be the right preposition.
Choice (D)
34. Something is directed ‘towards’ the purpose of achieving a
desired result. Choice (C)
35. If something is ‘named after’ somebody or something, it is
given that name. Hence, ‘after’ is the right preposition in the
given context. Choice (D)
36. The words ‘new’, ‘extending’ and ‘traditional’ indicate that the
right preposition is ‘beyond’. Choice (B)
37. To ban somebody or something ‘from’ doing something is to
forbid somebody to do something, go somewhere etc.,
especially officially. Hence, ‘from’ is the right preposition in
the above context. Choice (C)
38. The essence of the sentence is that the trends that are
mentioned are spreading quickly ‘across’ Asia and also other
parts. Hence ‘across’ would be apt. Choice (C)
SM1001941/182
39. ‘Poised for’ would be apt. ‘Poised for’ would mean set
(poised to do something and poised for something). Poised
‘on’ and over are also used, but will not suit the context.
Choice (A)
40. ‘Insight into’ something would mean an understanding of
what something is like. Choice (C)
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
41. The correct conjunction to use in this context is the
concessional ‘although’ rather than the conditional ‘if’.
42. The context suggests that a decade will pass before the
positive change is likely, and not ‘in’ a decade. Hence the
sentence should read “after a decade……”
43. To explain a reason why something happens, we use the
subordinating conjunction ‘as’. ‘While’ denotes an ongoing
action and cannot be used in this context. So the sentence
should read Smaller towns have been quietly depopulated
as their educated population . . . .
44. The sentence suggests that the conditional conjunction ‘if’
should be used and not ‘when’ which is a subordinating
conjunction denoting time.
45. The subordinating conjunction ‘though’ is appropriate in this
context in place of ‘in as much as’ which is used to cite a
reason rather than concession.
46. The correction requires the use of the conjunction ‘and’ in
place of ‘for’ to join the two ideas of outer space being a
unifier and the last refuge.
47. To express a reason or a cause and as an equivalent to
‘because’ or ‘for’ we must use the conjunction that.
Hence the sentence should read “we are in such a rarefied
atmosphere that…..”
48. The sentence should read “It is for this reason that I asked
him to leave both the offices of President and Chief of Army
Staff and to pave the way for the composition of an interim
government”. This is because ‘both’ should be used with
‘and’ not ‘or’.
49. The present perfect continuous tense of the verb ‘sell’
indicates the use of since rather than ‘after’ as the
subordinating conjunction.
‘Since’ when used as a conjunction in this sentence should be
preceded by the verb in the present perfect tense, (have been
selling) followed by a verb in the simple past tense (released).
50. Soviet cinema collapsed ‘when’ state funding disappeared at
the close of the communist period is the correction.
We use the conjunction ‘when’ to indicate something
happens to interrupt something.
51. The correction is ‘convinced of’ the report’s veracity.
52. The correction is – ‘approve of.’ The preposition is missing
in the original sentence.
53. The correction is ‘imposed on or upon’.
54. The correction is ‘dissuade his/her students from’ and should
be followed by the ‘ing’ from of the verb. Hence from reading
.....
55. There is no correction.
56. The correction is ‘pleased with’.
57. The preposition ‘against’ should be removed from the
sentence since it is redundant.
58. The correction is ‘agreeable to him’.
59. There is no correction.
60. The correction is ‘fault with’.
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PRACTICE EXERCISE – 8
1. The blank needs the words suggesting a ‘method’ and only
option 2 does it. Option (A) would mean the description of
the scenario is further detailed of which ‘the resurgent India’
is a part of it. Option (B) means a method or way of doing
something. Option (C) means to say what you’ve noticed or
understood. Option (D) is inapt as it needs to be across the
country and cannot be followed by the word ‘which’.
Choice (B)
2. Option (A) means to say what you’ve noticed or understood.
Option (B) means to put something with something else and
this is apt in the context. Option (C) means until a future point
in time. Option (D) refers to the present time.
Choice (B)
3. Option (A) means up to this point. Option (B) is used in
comparison to refer to the degree of something and fits the
context. Option (C) would mean as the situation may be and
does not logically follow in the context. Option (D) is used to
give permission. Choice (B)
4. Option (A) means a method or way of doing something.
Option (B) describes a plausible situation. Option (C) means
to say that you have noticed or understood. Option (D) means
in any situation or condition or whichever way it is analysed
and is apt in the context. Choice (D)
5. Option (A) means a correct route. Option (B) is likely to
achieve. Option (D) is correct because the preposition ‘of’
following ‘in’ would mean ‘during’. Option (C) is used to show
that what you are saying is generally known or accepted.
Choice (D)
6. The blank has to be filled with words that mean because of
something. Option (A) states an information vital to the topic
being discussed. Option (B) means because of something.
Option (C) means in the course of time. Option (D) is used
to make comparisons. Choice (B)
7. Options (A) and (B) means in connection with. Option (C)
means not affected by something and is right in the context.
Option (D) means in this particular way. Choice (C)
8. Options (A) to (C) are incorrect grammatical use of
prepositions with the word ‘mistake’. Option (D) fits aptly.
Choice (D)
9. Option (A) means considering the present situation; as
things are. Option (B) means in the same way as someone
or something and is right as it links Maria and other working
women. Option (C) means something done to help
everyone. Option (D) is used to say what you have noticed
or understood. The link between ‘working women’ and
‘Marie’ is not suitably established as a result.
Choice (B)
10. Option (A) means ‘as stated by’ which fits the idea in the
blank. Option (B) means the consequence of what is stated
earlier. Option (C) means with the passage of time. Option
(D) is used to compare. Choice (A)
Explanatory notes for questions 11 to 35:
A Phrasal Verb provides a meaning (as a whole) which may
be different from the meaning of the words combined in it.
11. The blank in the given statement must be filled with words
that suggest to pass the baby to someone who will, from then
on take responsibility of the child. Option (A) suggests an
idea of passing on of knowledge, a possession or a skill to
one belonging to a younger generation. Option (B) means
the person handed over responsibility and control to the one
who is being given and is opt. Option (C) means to dole out
or give out something. Option (D) means something that is
given to a person in authority. Choice (B)
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12. The blank must be filled with words that suggest that one
wants to escape from an unpleasant situation. Option (A)
means one achieves success even when there are
difficulties and obstacles. Option (B) means to change or
escape from a situation and fits the context. Option (C) –
‘break in’ – means to enter by force or to interrupt someone
by some sudden remark. Option (D) – ‘break off’ – means to
remove something by force or to stop doing something
suddenly. Choice (B)
13. The blank ought to be filled with words that means to leave
with the speaker. ‘Come across’ means to find by chance.
So Option (A) is ruled out. option (B) when used intransitively
means to leave with the speaker and is appropriate here.
Option (C) means to succeed or to happen as arranged.
Option (D) means to enter when used in the transitive sense.
Choice (B)
14. Option (A) means to fail to do something fast enough or on
time. Option (B) means to use something for help because
no other choice is available and fits the sentence. Option (C)
means parts of something that break off and drop to the
ground. Option (D) means to break. Choice (B)
15. The blank has to be filled with words that mean to be free to
leave and only option (B) means that. Option (A) means to
circulate or move or travel in a general sense. Option (C)
means to be acquitted or receive no punishment. Option (D)
means to finish a piece of work, or finish successfully.
Choice (B)
16. The blank has to be filled with words that mean to consider
the past. Option (A) means to be watchful or to beware.
Option (B) means to consider the past events and so is right.
Option (C) means to take care of something. Option (D)
means to examine a number of things, often in order to select
some of them. Choice (B)
17. The blank has to be filled with words that mean to receive
teaching from someone. Option (A) means to sit with a
straight back. Option (B) means to be present in a meeting
or class. Option (C) means to receive teaching from
someone. Option (D) means to discuss something.
Choice (C)
18. The blank has to be filled with words that imply to do nothing.
Option (A) means to support or defind something. Option (B)
means a group of people who agree strongly on a particular
matter and take action together about it. Option (C) means
to be much better than other similar thing or people. .. Option
(D) means to allow something unpleasant to happen without
doing anything to stop it and is the right choice.
Choice (D)
19. The blank has to be filled with words that mean to encounter
a lot of obstacles. Option (A) means to incur say bills and to
increase them by continuing to buy things and put them
down to one’s account. Option (B) means to meet someone
accidentally. Option (C) means to encounter difficulties or
opposition and is the right choice. Option (D) means to
pursue. Choice (C)
20. The blank should be filled with words that imply to seek
refuge in a particular place. Option (A) means to remove or
extract. Option (B) means to attribute wrong identity or
qualities to someone. Option (C) means withdraw remarks,
accusations etc. Option (D) means to find safety in
something and hence is suitable here. Choice (D)
21. The blank means to stop something. Option (A) means to
stay level or equal with a person or thing. Option (B) means
to continue to talk in an annoying way about something.
Option (C) means to refrain from walking or from coming too
close. E.g. keep off the grass. Option (D) means to prevent
something from entering a place and so is right.
Choice (D)
22. The blank has to contain words that refer to the act of filing
in details required in the form. Option (A) means an act of
filling up (ex: petrol in car). Option (B) means to complete
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a form by writing information on it. This fits the blank. Option
(C) means to become larger, rounder or fatter. Option (D)
means to make something completely full. Choice (B)
23. The blank has to be filled with words which means to be
present in every part of something. This is the meaning
of option (C). Option (A) means that which often occurs.
Option (B) means trying to avoid being captured. Option (D)
means to run away. Choice (C)
24. Option (A) means to rise. Option (B) means to be successful
in your career. Option (C) can be followed by preposition –
on, in, or with something and it means to manage to live or
do a particular thing using the money, knowledge,
equipment, etc. that you have and so it fits the context.
Option (D) means to give serious attention to something.
Choice (C)
25. Option (A) is an incorrect grammatical construction. Option
(B) means to be aware of something. Option (C) if used,
would then refer to the speaker sleeping and not the baby.
Choice (D)
26. Option (A) means to visit for a short time. Option (B) means
to enjoy something that is going to happen and is the right
word since the sentence says ‘show off’. Option (C) means
to admire. Option (D) means to hope. Choice (B)
27. Blank has to be filled with words that mean to come into
fashion once again. Option (A) holds good. Option (B) means
to appear or to arrive. Option (C) means to be conscious
again. Option (D) means to be understood. Choice (A)
28. The blank has to be filled with words that mean to ‘reduce’.
Option (A) means to interrupt. Option (B) means to lessen
and so is right. Option (C) means to remove a part of
something. Option (D) means to stop working.
Choice (B)
29. Option (A) is used in the sense of cutting down (for e.g. a
tree). Option (B) means to cut off part of something with a
sharp tool and fits the sentence. Option (C) means to cut up
something into pieces with an axe, knife or other sharp
instrument, Option (D) meant to aim blows at something with
a heavy sharp tool as an axe. Choice (B)
30. Option (A) ‘stand in’ means to take the place of someone
temporarily, Choice (B) ‘stand down’ means to step down.
Choice (C) ‘stand over’ means to over-look, Choice (D)
‘stand back’ means to let something happen. Choice (B) is
the apt Choice. Choice (B)
31. Option (A) means to examine something – here the field of
literacy criticism. Option (B) means to examine a number of
things, often in order to select some. Option (C) means to
consider past events and actions. Option (D) means to
inspect critically. Choice (B)
32. The blank has to be filled with words that mean to discuss.
Option(A) means to give a rude reply to someone. Option (B)
when used to refer to a person means ‘to prevent’ and in
other contexts ‘to persuade’. Option (C) is used to speak with
enthusiasm about something. Option (D) means to discuss
a problem or situation with someone, often to find out their
opinion or to get advice before making a decision about it
and hence is the right choice Choice (D)
33. Option (A) means to pretend something is something else.
Option (B) means to tell someone something that another
person has told you and it fits the context. Option (C) means
to ‘become unconscious’ It can also mean ‘to leave college’.
Option (D) means to ignore or not to give attention to
someone or something. Choice (B)
34. Option (A) means to accede to or support a plan or
suggestion and is apt here. Option (B) means parts of
something that break off and drop. Option (C) means ‘to fall’.
Option (D) means to be tricked. Choice (A)
SM1001941/184
35. Option (A) is used to refer to something that stops working.
Option (B) means to agree or accept defeat. Option (C)
means to stop doing something and is the right phrase here.
Option (D) means to return something to the person who
gave it to you. Choice (C)
36. The blank has to be filled with words that mean gradually,
disappear. This is seen in option (C). Option (A) means to
become thin and disappear after repeated use or rubbing.
Option (B) means to make someone feel tired and less able
to deal successfully with a situation. Option (D) means to use
something so much that it is damaged and cannot be used
any more. Choice (C)
37. Option (A) means to agree and fits the context. Option (B)
means to stop working. Option (C) means to stop doing
something annoying. Option (D) means to stop doing a
regular activity or job. Choice (A)
38. Option (A) is the right answer as it refers to the act of the car
running its tyres over the animal. Option (B) means on the
opposite side of something. Option (C) is incorrect. Option
(D) means to run fast in order to get something.
Choice (A)
39. Option (A) means to surprise or shock someone so much
that they do not know how to behave for a short time. Option
(B) means to take back something after giving it. Option (C)
means to take to pieces. Option (D) means to be deceived.
It can also mean to care for someone. Choice (A)
40. Option (A) means to begin a new or afresh. Option (B)
means to help someone to start an activity, especially a
piece of work. Option (C) means to start complaining angrily
to someone about something they have done and is the right
phrase. Option (D) means to begin one’s life in a particular
way. Choice (C)
41. If an event is ‘due to’ something, it happens or exists as a
direct result of that thing. This is the meaning in the context.
You can say ‘with due’ as in the case of giving the respect. So
you can say ‘with due respect’ when you are about to disagree
politely with someone. If something is ‘due at’ a particular time,
it is expected to happen, be done or arrive at the time. If
someone is ‘due for’ something, that thing is planned to
happen or be given to them now, or very soon, often after they
have been waiting for it for a long time. Choice (A)
42. The right option is Option (C) – ‘in case’. ‘In case’ would refer
to an inclination or desire. However Option (A) – ‘in case of’
refers to a situation. If you do something or have something
‘in case of’ a particular thing, you do it or have it because that
thing might happen or be true. If you say, that something ‘is
the case’, you mean that it is true or correct. You say ‘as the
case may be’ to indicate that the statement you are making
applies equally to the two or more alternatives that you have
mentioned. Choice (C)
43. Your use expressions such as ‘at the moment’ or ‘at this
moment’ or even ‘at the present moment’ to indicate that a
particular situation exists at the time when you are speaking.
You use ‘of the moment’ to describe someone or something
that is or was especially popular at a particular time,
especially when you want to suggest that their popularity is
unlikely to last long. You use ‘for the moment’ to indicate that
something is true now, even if it will not be true in the future.
Options (A) and (C) seem to be a close call. Option (A) refers
to the precise and specific ‘point’ in time. Option (C) however
talks of a ‘period’ of time. Option (D) is not suitable in the
given context. Choice (A)
44. Only Option (A) is a correct grammatical prepositional phrase
which means comprising of a heavy load. Choice (A)
45. The blank must be filled with words that means ‘never’.
Option (A) is not worded correctly. Option (B) means with no
money. Option (C) means ‘no possibility’ and is not
appropriate in this context. The expression ‘not by any
means’ also conveys this same idea. Option (D) means
‘never’. Choice (D)
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46. The blank must be filled with words that suggest the idea of
‘for example’. Looking at Option (A) the prepositional phrase
is used to introduce a particular event, situation or person
that is an example of what one is talking about and hence is
appropriate. Option (B) is used to indicate that the statement
you are making applies equally to the two or more
alternatives that you have mentioned. Option (C) is said in
order to mention something that is the first step in a series of
actions. Option (D) means any action that is done by one
because it has been ordered or requested to be done. So
only Option (A) fits the idea in the context. Choice (A)
47. The blank must be filled to convey the idea of ‘as much as’.
Option (A) means going regularly to a place and is often
followed by the preposition ‘of’ something. Option (B) is used
in comparisons to refer to the degree of something. Option
(C) means by a great amount. The words ‘by far’ would never
followed by the word ‘as’. So only Option (B) aptly fits the
blank. Option (D) is used to say that an activity has gone well
until now. Choice (B)
48. The blank has to be filled with words that means until a future
point in time. Option (A) means because of something. But
this is not mentioned in the context so cannot fit in the blank.
Option (B) means from this moment and always in the future.
Option (C) means for the time being until a future point in
time and fits the blank aptly. Option (D) is said to attract
attention to what you are going to ask or suggest.
Choice (C)
49. The blank must be filled with words that means something
that can or must be done within a short period of time. Option
(D) indicates that something has to be done within a short
period of time. Other expressions where the word ‘notice’ is
used with the same meaning is ‘at a moment’s notice’ or ‘at
twenty-four hours’ notice’. The rest of the options do not fit.
Choice (D)
50. The blank must be filled with words that suggest an idea of
‘as opposed to’. Option (D) is used with this idea. Option (A)
means ‘rather’ as in ‘ I longed instead for a quiet country life’.
Option (B) means to a slight degree. Option (D) means a
substitute or alternative to something. Option (C) is an
incorrect grammatical usage. Choice (D)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 9
1. In all the statements of the question we find the use of the
correlative conjunction not only - - but also''. In statements
A, B and D the correlative conjunction is incorrectly used.
When conjunctions are used as correlatives, each of the
correlated words should be placed immediately before the
words/phrases to be connected. In the given sentence the
entities to be connected are ‘in their own societies’ and ‘in
those constructed about ….. counterparts'. Hence, each of
correlated words should precede each of these entities. This
is found only in statement C. Choice (C)
2. Statement B can be eliminated because an adjective in the
comparative degree (less) should be followed by than and
not by ‘but’. Statement C is ruled out due to the incorrect
tense, ‘has been due less to (the present perfect). Since the
reference is to an incident of the past, the sentence should
take the simple past tense. This leaves us with statements A
and D. The use of ‘that’ makes statement A incorrect
because there is no subject which is being referred to by
‘that’. The idea to be conveyed is the fall in death rate is due
less to medicine than to improvements in the environment.
And this is appropriately conveyed by statement D.
Choice (D)
3. Since the sentence begins with 'had' (past perfect), the main
clause should take 'would have'. Choice (C) is ruled out as it
violates this rule.
Statements A and B are ruled out for violating the rule of
parallelism.
The use of ‘destroying’ after ‘rather than' renders the
sentence incorrect. ''Would have distributed goods rather
than have destroyed them'', would be the correct structure
SM1001941/185
 as this is in accordance with the rule of parallelism according
to which, when two or more phrases or clauses are
combined using a conjunction, all of them must belong to the
same grammatical form. Therefore they would – (have
distributed goods rather than have destroyed them) is the
correct break up. As the object (goods) is given in the both
places (after distributed and after destroyed) 'have' should
precede each of the verbs separately. This is found in
statement D. Choice (D)
4. Statement ‘A’ is ruled out due to of the use of the plural
‘embodiments'. The reference is to the Victorian period in
Britain and America. It is singular. Hence 'the embodiment'
is correct. Statement ‘B’ is incorrect because of the pronoun
'it' in the last part of the sentence. The sentence conveys the
idea that the Victorian period may seem to be the
embodiment of traditional values but when this era began in
Britain and America 'they' (values) were anything but
traditional. Hence, the pronoun ‘they’ is apt. The usage of the
present perfect tense 'has began' renders D incorrect. The
sentence refers to a specific point of time in the past. Hence,
it should take the past tense 'began'. Only statement ‘C’ is
not erroneous. Choice (C)
5. Statement A is incorrect because when a sentence begins
with “Apart from causing - - - “; it has to further continue
saying that climate change is causing something else also,
which is not the case in A. Statement B talks about the
effects of climate change but 'one of the most dramatic
effects have been' would be incorrect. The reference is to
one among many effects. Hence ‘one of the effects … has
been' is the correction. Statement D would be correct if it had
been ‘aside from' which means ‘apart from’.
Choice (C)
6. Statement A is ruled out due to the use of a plural verb ‘are
numbed’. Since the reference is to "ability", a singular noun,
'is numbed' would be correct. Statement B is ruled out as the
pronoun ‘they’ is incorrect. It conveys the idea that
technological processes numb the ability whereas, it is we
who numb our ability by focussing on technological
processes. Choice (D)
7. Statement A is ruled out because of the absence of the
pronoun ‘it’ in the second clause. The absence of 'it' leaves
the idea conveyed ambiguous. Statement ‘B’ is incorrect due
to the use of ‘confronted by'. 'Confronted by' conveys the
idea that something needs to be dealt with by someone
which is not apt in the context. ‘Confronted with' is
appropriate. It conveys the idea to have to deal with or react
to – i.e., having to deal with many theories and definitions,
globalisation begins to look more like a buzzword. The use
of the past tense ‘became' in statement D makes it an
incorrect option. Choice (C)
8. Statements A and B are incorrect due to incorrect and
inappropriate comparisons involved. In statement A, the use
of ‘has’ (to a far greater extent than has any) is incorrect
because the reference is to 'lower animals' which is plural.
Hence, ‘to a far greater extent than have ------', is the
correction.
The absence of ‘have’ in comparison makes it incorrect
"Human beings developed" is in simple past which is not in
Keeping with the tense in the rest of the sentence. Statement
D has atones error in statement B. Choice (C)
9. Choice (A) is ruled out because of the use of ‘as that of their
…’. There is no adjective to be referred to by ‘that’ in the part
of the sentence preceding it. Choice (C) is eliminated due to
the incorrect positioning of the adverbs ‘remarkably' and
'particularly'. The idea intended is, 'patterns of life have
changed significantly, especially in the past. Therefore, the
correction would be ‘patterns of life have changed
remarkably, particularly..’. Choice (D) is ruled out due to the
incorrect tense i.e., have been. The reference is to
modifications which happened in the past. Hence, the past
tense is to be used i.e., as their forebears 'were'.
Choice (B)
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10. Statement A alone is right. In statements B and D, the error
is in the use of the phrasal verb 'live in' and 'live up'
respectively. The correction is 'live on in' which means
"continues to live even now". Statement 'C' is incorrect due
to the use of 'lives on'. The subject is 'those aspects' which
is plural hence, the verb does not take 's'. Choice (A)
11. The relative pronoun ‘which' in the underlined part of the
sentence refers to ‘deforestation’ which is singular. Hence
"produces …and allows …" would be the correction.
Choice (D)
12. The underlined part consists of an error in the verb used. The
subject is 'a savvy and affluent class' which is a collective
noun. Hence, the verb following it should also be in the
singular.
Choice (A) has a prepositional error i.e., ‘open for’ and the
correction is ‘open to'. The absence of the indefinite article
‘a’ before ‘savvy’ rules out Choice (B). The perfect
continuous tense and the perfect tense used in choice (C)
respectively make them incorrect option. Only choice (D) is
grammatically correct. Choice (D)
13. The underlined part is incorrect as there is ambiguity in the
idea expressed by it. The subject of the sentence is ‘science’
but the absence of the pronoun 'it' in the underlined part
makes it incorrect. Choice (A) also is ruled out on the same
grounds.
In choices (B) and (C) the use of past perfect and simple past
is incorrect because the sentence refers to a fact which
should be expressed in the simple present.
The correction is leave them to their suffering. Hence, only
choice (D) has no errors. Choice (D)
14. The underlined part of the question sentence is incorrect due
to the absence of the verb ‘does’ after 'the U.S'. The
comparison is between the produce of the European Union
and that of the U.S. Choices (A) & (B) are ruled out due to
the incorrect positioning of the adverb. Choice (D) is ruled
out due to the use of ‘than that of'. Hence, the underlined
part can be corrected in two ways
(1) currently producing nearly a third more than the U.S
does.
or
(2) that currently produces nearly a third more than the U.S
does. Choice (C)
15. The underlined part has a puntuational error. The underlined
part should be appropriately punctuated as ‘which we all,
believers and unbelievers alike, make use of'. The words
'believers and unbelievers' enclosed by the paranthesis
define the word 'all'. The main idea is 'which we all make
use of'. Choice (D)
16. The underlined part is incorrect due to the absence of the
preposition 'of' after understanding. The correction is 'lead to
a greater understanding of….'
Choice (A) is ruled out due to the absence of the indefinite
article ‘a’ before greater understanding. The sentence refers
to a greater understanding of how cells acquire their
specialized states and provide a strategy. Hence, the use of
'providing' in (2) makes it incorrect. ‘Understanding of’ is the
right usage but not ‘understanding as to' as used in
Choice (C). Choice (D)
17. The underlined part is incorrect because 'seen like one' is
ungrammatical. The correction is 'seen as one'. Choice (A)
is ruled out because the verb ‘combines’ does not agree with
the subject 'features of capitalism' which is plural. It would be
correct to say 'features of capitalism combine'. Choice (C) is
incorrect due to the incorrect positioning of the adverb. The
words 'to providing' in Choice (D) make it incorrect.
Choice (B)
18. The underlined part is incorrect due to the absence of 'as' after
'as long'. 'So long as’ is the correct phrase which conveys the
idea 'till the time the country does not …enable….'.
In Choice (A) the phrase is appropriately used but 'it's' is
incorrect. It‘s' means 'it is', which is incorrect in the context.
SM1001941/186
 The correction is 'its'. The absence of 'a' before 'healthy and
productive life’ makes Choice (B) an incorrect choice.
In Choice (C) 'enable all its citizens having' is incorrect.
Enable takes a ‘to infinitive. Hence, the correction is ‘enable
all its citizens to have…’.
Only choice (D) is free of errors. Choice (D)
19. The use of ‘as’ in the underlined part is incorrect. ‘As’ is used
in comparisons to refer to the extent or degree of something,
but the intended idea in the context is that like all highly
conflicted encounters the question of interpreting British and
Indian histories is a matter of debate i.e., a similarity is drawn
between two situations.
Hence ‘like all such …’ would be correct 'like' means 'similar
to'.
Choice (A) is ruled out because it makes little sense without
'if' before 'not'. Choice (B) has a punctuational error. The
comma should be placed after 'edifying' i.e, 'a matter of
strenuous, if not always edifying, debate. Only choice (D) is
grammatically correct. Choice (D)
20. The underlined part is incorrect due to the use of 'with that
of'. The comparison is between exertions of man with the
exertions of his fellow beings. Hence ‘with those of his fellow
creature …’ is correct. Choice (B) involves an illogical
comparison i.e., exertions are compared with fellow
creatures. Hence it is ruled out. Choice (C) violates the rule
of parallelism 'the privilege is that ––– of combing ….. and --
--- of acting'. The absence of 'of' before acting makes it
incorrect. The absence of that in (D) renders both the
choices incorrect. Choice (A)
21. Choice (A) is ruled out due to a tense error. The past perfect
tense 'had existed' is incorrect since the reference is to the
past (the Second World War). Choice (C) is also ruled out on
the same grounds i.e, incorrect tense (that has existed).
Choices (B) have structural errors. Only choice (D) is correct.
Choice (D)
22. The phrase ‘one of the essential roles’ suggests that one out
of many aspects is being referred to. Choice (A), to challenge
and to make, conveys that two different aspects are being
referred to. This does not (logically) fit in the blank. Choices
(C) and (D) violate the rule of parallelism. Hence, only
Choice (C) is grammatically and logically correct.
Choice (C)
23. Only Choice (D) is the right option to go into the blank. The
tense in the rest of the options is not in line with that given in
the first part of the sentence. The first part of the sentence is
in the present perfect tense, therefore 'so too has been
our…..', which is also in the present perfect tense aptly fits
the blank. Choice (D)
24. Choice (A) is illogical and hence is ruled out. It would be right
to say 'to exploit the earth for what we merely want apart
from what we need', but the structure is reversed
in (A).
Choice (B) is grammatically incorrect. The error is in the
structure. The correct structure should be "not just for what
we …but for..".
The use of as well as with both makes Choice (C) incorrect.
Again. Only choice (D) is grammatically correct.
Choice (D)
25. In all the options we find a variation in the use of articles
which precede the words ‘theory and practice’. The
reference is to a particular theory and a particular practice of
a culture. Hence 'the theory and the practice of a culture'
‘would be correct. Choice (A)
26. In all the five options there is a variation in the position of
‘only’ which distorts the meaning conveyed.
The right option would be the one which answers the
question ‘by whom can the unbridgeable gap between
several powerful and competing ways of life be surmounted?
Hence, the choice in which ‘only’ is positioned after
‘surmounted', would be correct. Choice (D)
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27. Choices (A) and (B) are incorrect due to tense errors. The
words 'for long' suggest that the sentence should be in the
past perfect i.e., 'Buddhism had for long' since this reference
is to an act of the long past. Both (C) and (D) have 'had for
long' but the use of singular present tense verb (has been)
after philosophy makes Choice (C) incorrect. Hence only (D)
is free of errors. Choice (D)
28. Choices (B) is ruled out is due to the inappropriate use of
'than that of' and (C) is ruled out due to the use of "than those
of". Choice (A) is ruled out due to inappropriate comparisons.
Choice (D)
29. Choice (B) is ruled out because ‘a little doubt’ means some
doubt; but the context should take ‘little doubt' which means
‘leaves no doubt’. Choices (C), (D) are ruled out because of
tense errors. The sentence which fits in the blank should be
in the simple present tense. Choice (A)
30. The question sentence begins with an If – clause and the
verb in the if-clause is in the past i.e., 'were'. Hence, the
verbs in the main clause should also be in the past, 'could'
and 'would' respectively. Only Choice (D) is correct in all
ways. Choice (D)
31. Statements b, c and d are incorrect. ‘Cited to be' is incorrect
in B. Something is 'cited as'. ‘Opening to' in c is incorrect.
The correction is ‘opening up to’. ‘Craves for’ in choice d
makes it incorrect. 'Craves for' means 'pleading' whereas,
'Craves' means 'desire' which is apt in the context. Further,
‘for’ is used with crave when the verb is intransitive. Eg; She
craves for more. The verb in this sentence B intransitive. In
the question sentence the verb is transitive, hence 'for' is not
used. Choice (C)
32. Statements b, c and d are incorrect. Statement ‘b’ is incorrect
due to the absence of a pronoun before 'engage'. The
reflexive pronoun (themselves) after 'engage' has to be
used. ‘They engage themselves’ will be the correction.
In statement ‘c’ the correction is 'they can assume either
reproductive or non-reproductive roles ----.
Statement d has an error in the verbs used i.e, 'epigenetics
influence' is incorrect. ‘Epigenitics’ is the name of a subject. Hence,
‘influences', a singular verb, is the correction.
Choice (C)
33. Statements a, b and c are incorrect.
The error in ‘a’ is the absence of the definite article before
‘last time.’ i.e., ‘the last time’, since the reference is to a
specific point of time. We ‘clamber up’ a mountain. Hence
‘clambered up’ is the correction in B. Statement c is incorrect
due to the wrong positioning of the adverb ‘dangerously’. It
should be positioned after the verb ‘swaying’. Hence a, b and
c are incorrect. Choice (A)
34. Statements b, c and d are incorrect statements. b begins with
a negative word. Hence the structure should take an
inversion. (verb + subject). ‘Neither is it' is the correction.
Statement ‘c’ should read ‘make little sense’ i.e., make no sense.
‘A little' is incorrect in the context of the sentence. Statement d is
incorrect because of the absence of an apostrophe('s). The
correction is 'heart’s truth'. Choice (B)
35. Statements c and d are incorrect. ‘Home for’ is incorrect. The
context in the sentence suggests that it is an 'abode for'.
Hence ‘home to’ would be the correction.
The verb ‘have’ in d does not agree with the subject
‘escalation’ which is singular. The verb ‘has’ is the correction.
Choice (D)
36. Statements a, c and d are incorrect. ‘Reeling in’ in
A makes it incorrect because we ‘reel under a crisis', and not
‘reel in'. 'Reeling under a crisis’ means suffer because of a
blow. The context in the sentence suggests that Europe is
suffering because of a blow. (crippling economic crisis). In
‘c’, ‘coping up’ is incorrect. The correction is ‘coping
measures' i.e, ‘measures to deal with something effectively’.
Statement d is incorrect due to the use of ‘would’ which is
the past tense of ‘will’. The correction is ‘will now feel’.
Choice (C)
SM1001941/187
37. Statements b, c and d are incorrect. ‘Cut-away’ in B is
incorrect. The correction is ‘cut off’ which means 'separated
from the rest of the world'. In statement c, it is incorrect to
say “the Gharwal hills in the Himalayas”. The correction is “of
the Himalayas”. “Full with rare - -" in d is incorrect. The
correction is “full of rare - - -". Choice (C)
38. Statements a, b and c are erroneous. The absence of the
definite article before '28th' makes a incorrect. The correction
is 'the 28th state of the union'.
‘Carved from’ is incorrect in b. ‘Carved out of' is the correct
usage.
‘Comprises of’ in c makes the sentence incorrect. ‘Comprise’
means 'consist of', so using 'of' again is redundant.
Choice (C)
39. ‘Ingredient to feasting' in a is incorrect. The correction is
‘ingredient of feasting'.
The absence of 'the' before ‘streets’ in statement b makes it
incorrect. The correction is "but in the streets”.
Statement d is also incorrect. ‘For celebrating' in d is
incorrect. ‘Imperative to celebrate” is the correction.
One should have an ‘imperative to do‘ something.
Choice (D)
40. Statements b, c and d are incorrect. We ‘canoe to a nearby
limestone cliff'. It is ‘a cliff’ or 'the cliff'. The absence of an
article before 'cliff' makes this sentence incorrect.
‘Top the day’ in c ,makes it incorrect. The correction is ’top
off’ . If we ‘top off’ a day or an event, we end it in an especially
satisfactory way.
In statement d, the correction is "far from the crowd". The
absence of 'the' makes it incorrect. Choice (D)
EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
41. Statement A is grammatically incorrect because of the use
of the singular ‘has tended’. The subject is 'forecasts’ which
is plural and hence the correction is ‘have tended to be
upbeat‘. Statement B is ruled out due to the absence of the
definite article before, ‘earlier one’. The reference is to every
forecast which reflected greater optimism than each earlier
one. Statement C is incorrect due to the past perfect ‘had
tended’.
Only Choice (D) is the most appropriate. Choice (D)
42. Statement A is incorrect due to the use of an incorrect
pronoun. i.e., 'its believers'. The reference is to educational
television, interactive computer programmes and online
learning i.e, a plural subject. Hence the use of ‘its’ is
incorrect. The correction is ‘their believers’. In statements B
and C the position of the adverb ‘yet’ is inappropriate. ‘Yet’
as used in the sentence means ‘still or even’. And it should
be positioned after ‘nothing’. Only statement D is free of
errors. Choice (D)
43. The underlined part is incorrect because ‘let it know’ is
syntactically incorrect. ‘Let it be known’ is the correct syntax.
Another important point to be noted here is ‘let’ does not take
the ‘to + infinitive. It takes the plain infinitive. This rules out
(B) and (D). Something is ‘known to the world’ but not ‘known
by the world’. Hence only Choice (C) is free of errors.
Choice (C)
44. The underlined part is ruled out due to the absence of the
indefinite article ‘an’ before 'individual identity’. It is 'an
individual identity'.
Only Choice (A) is grammatically correct. In all the other
options the positioning of ‘ideally’ is incorrect. It is modifying
the verb ‘provides’ hence it should be positioned before
‘provides’. Choice (A)
45. The underlined part has a prepositional error, i.e, ‘concerned
of’. The correction is ‘concerned over/about'. When we worry
about a situation or a problem we use ‘concern over’. ‘Raise’
in Choice (A) is incorrect. ‘Raise’ is used when something
causes something to go up. ‘Rise’ is used when something
happens naturally. Hence ‘the significant rise’ is correct.
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‘A little doubt’ which means ‘some doubt’ makes Choice (B)
illogical. ‘Aware of’ is the correct usage. The absence of the
preposition ‘of’ makes Choice (D) incorrect
Hence, only Choice (C) is free of all errors. Choice (C)
46. Statements a, and d are incorrect. The correction in a is 'the
25th Marines'. The reference is to a specific unit. Hence, the
definite article should precede 25th Marines. In statement ‘c’
'those of' is incorrect.
In ‘d’ the use of ‘rose up’ is incorrect. It should be either ‘shot
up or rose’. Choice (B)
47. ‘Dying off’ in statement a is incorrect the correction is ‘dying’.
‘Agree with’ in B makes it incorrect. We ‘agree with' a person
and 'agree on' an idea. Hence, the context in the sentence
takes ‘agree on’.
In statement d, the use of 'not' with 'unless' makes the
sentence incorrect. ‘Unless’ means ‘if not’ so using ‘not’
again makes the sentence incorrect. The correction is
'unless we address'. Choice (A)
48. In a ‘differ from’ is incorrect in the context of the sentence.
We 'differ from' others. But we differ in doing something.
Hence, the correction is ‘differ in the way …’. Coming to join
us in C is incorrect. The correction is ‘coming in to join us’.
‘As multicultural like’ in D is an incorrect usage. The correct
structure is 'as multicultural as'. Choice (A)
49. Choice (A) is ruled out due to the absence of the definite
article ‘the' before the name of the organization Food and
Agricultural Organization. Choice (B) has a tense error. The
past time adverb ‘ago’ suggests that the sentence should be
in simple past which is not the case in Choice (B).
The use of ‘100 millions tonnes’ in Choice (C) is incorrect.
The correction is '100 million tonnes'.
Hence, only choice (D) is free of errors. Choice (D)
50. Choice (A) is ruled out because of the use of ‘such as’. The
part of the sentence which follows the word ‘canon’ should
actually define it (canon). Hence the correct structure is ‘that
people accused of crimes are presumed innocent until found
guilty’. The use of 'which' after ‘canon’ in Choice (B) renders
it incorrect.
Choice (D) makes no sense due to the absence of the
relative pronoun ‘that’ after ‘canon’.
The correction is ‘accused of‘. Only Choice (C) is free of
errors. Choice (C)
PRACTICE EXERCISE – 10
1. Options (A), and (D) are incorrect because of the use of
inappropriate prepositions in and for. The correct preposition
is 'of'. It is 'of their fellow-creatures'. These fellow-creatures
(i.e) the men are more privileged when compared to the
women. As a comparison is made the use of 'more' is
warranted. The use of 'most privileged' is incorrect in 3. Only
option (B) is grammatically correct. Choice (B)
2. Option (A) is incorrect '.... and put' is inapt. The construction
logically takes a gerund. '.......could prevent ,.... putting the
federation's reputation..........'. Also its reputation 'as a
business-friendly hub is at risk'. The use 'of' and 'in' in place
of 'as' is incorrect in options (A) and (B) and (E). 'At a risk'
'or' 'at the risk' is incorrect, which rules out options (B), and
(D). Only option (C) is grammatically consistent.
Choice (C)
3. Only choice (E) fits into the blank because the tense ie,
present perfect tense (has brought) is in keeping with the
tense in the rest of the sentence. The pronoun 'they' is
correctly used in the latter part of the choice ie, 'we know are
flawed in light of the ecological destruction they legitimize.'.
the pronoun 'it' as used in (A) , (C) and (D) is incorrect
because the reference is to a plural entity – features of
economic philosophy – . Further the preposition 'to' is
correctly used with 'obligation'. 'obligation to change….'
Obligation for' as used in (B) and (C) rules out these two
choices. Choice (D)
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4. In choice (A) and (B) the positioning of 'generally' distorts the
meaning. Further the prepositions 'through' and 'with' which
follow the words 'cultural practices' in choices (A) and (D)
respectively make those options incorrect. Besides the
above mentioned errors the positioning of 'intrinsically’ is
incorrect in (B) and (D).
'Intrinsically' means 'naturally' or 'innately' and it should be
positioned before right or wrong. Hence, only (C) is free of
errors. Choice (C)
5. Choices (A) and (D) are ruled out due to a discord between
the subject and the verb. The subject of the sentence is
'civilization' which is singular, hence verb takes(s) -.
'continues to follow…' is the correction.
In (3), 'continue devastating…' is incorrect. The correction is
'continue to devastate'.
Only (B) is free of errors. Choice (B)
6. Statements (c) and (d) are erroneous. 'Universally accepted'
means something that is accepted by everyone, which has
to replace 'acceptable' in (c). 'Acceptable' means something
that is approved of by most people. Here in the given context,
handshake is accepted by everyone. There is no other
choice. We cannot have 'leg shake' to say that of the two,
handshake is more acceptable. Hence (c) is erroneous. The
use of the gerund 'clobbering' is incorrect in (d). It has to be
the 'to infinitive'. The stranger might try 'to clobber him',
(i.e, hurt him). Try 'clobbering him' is absurd.
Choice (B)
7. Statements (a), (b) and (d) erroneous. The positioning of the
adverbial phrase 'in the world' is incorrect in statement (a).
This phrase qualifies 'person'. 'Every 10th person in the
world who dies in road accident' is the idea suggested.
Hence 'in the world' should follow 'person' and not 'accident'.
Statement (b) has an error of subject-verb concord. 'The
number' is the subject and hence it has to be 'is increasing'.
The use of 'are increasing' makes it grammatically incorrect.
The use of the word 'status' is incorrect in statement (d).
'Status' means rank or honour. It has to be replaced by 'state'
meaning 'condition'. We are talking about the condition of the
road. Hence the correction is '...the state of the roads'.
Choice (D)
8. Statements (a), (b) and (c) are grammatically incorrect.
The use of an incorrect phrasal verb makes statement A
incorrect. To 'make up' something is to constitute and to
'make up for' something is to compensate. Here the 'deserts
constitute...' and not compensate. Hence '........which make
up about...' is the correction in (a) '........at the risk of starving'
is incorrect in statement (b). They are 'at risk of starvation'.
'At risk of something' means in danger of something
unpleasant or harmful, happening. 'At the risk of doing
something' is used to introduce something that may sound
stupid or may offend someone and hence is inapt in this
context. The use of 'one-thirds' is incorrect in statement (c).
It should be 'one-third'. Choice (D)
9. Statements (a), (c) and (d) are grammatically incorrect.
The positioning of the adverb 'enough' is inapt in (a).
'The temperatures are lowered enough to increase the ice
sheets' is the idea suggested. Hence 'enough' should be
placed after 'temperatures' and not after 'ice sheets'.
Statement (b) is grammatically correct. The use of 'farther'
which is used to denote distance is incorrect in (c). It has to
be 'further' which means additional. Statement (d) is
incomplete because of the omission of the preposition 'to'
after 'adjust'. We 'adjust to' something. Choice (C)
10. Sentences (a), (b) and (d) are erroneous. The use of the
preposition 'of' is incorrect in (a). There is a 'problem with
mass schooling' and the problem is that it creates
inequalities in the society. If we say 'problem of', then the
problem should be within the system which is not the case
here. Hence the correction in (a) is '.......problem with mass
schooling...... Statement (b) has a punctuational error.
The correction is '......go to good schools, which, because
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they are good, attract the best......' The verb 'obtain' to mean
'exist' is used in the progressive tense in (d) which is
incorrect. It has to be '.........factors do not generally obtain
for.........' Choice (D)
11. The underlined part is incorrect due to use of the quantifier
'much' after 'crisis. The sentence involves a comparision
between 'providing humanitarian assistance' and 'enabling
countries to grow'. In a negative sentence the comparision is
"not so much …as". This structure is seen only in (D).
The absence of 'by' after 'as' in choice (A) disrupts the
parallelism. Choice (B) is ruled out due to inappropriate
comparison. Choice (C) is incorrect due to the words 'as to
enable' which violate the parallelism in the sentence. The
correction is 'not so much by ….as by enabling …..".
Choice (D)
12. The underlined part is erroneous for two reasons: one is the
absence of a comma after 'which' and the other is the use of
the singular from of the verb 'was transforming'.
The words "from the latter part of the seventeenth century"
gives additional information hence this should be separated
with commas. Further the relative pronoun 'which ' refers to
the achievements which is a plural subject. Hence, the verb
after 'century' should be a plural verb ie, were transformed.
Only choice (B) has all these correct. Choice (B)
13. The underlined part, has two errors, 'lived for many years', is
incorrect. The correction is 'lived on for many years' which
means that it continued for many years is apt in the context.
The second error is in the positioning of the comma after
'which'. It should precede 'which' and 'which' describes the
'events' of 1968.' All these corrections are found only in
choice (C). Hence, Choice (C)
14. Choice (A) and (D) are ruled out due to the presence of
a definite article before 'nature' 'Nature is abstract hence it
does not take an article. The use of the continuous tense
'mutilating man' is also incorrect since the first part is in the
simple present tense. These errors rule out (A) and (D).
Choice (B) is ruled out due to the absence of articles before
'system' and 'type'. Choice (C)
15. Choice (C), and (D) are ruled out due to subject verb discard.
The subject of the sentence is 'fact' hence 'suggests' is the
appropriate verb. Further 'would continue and 'will be
continue' as used as choice (A) and (D) respectively are
incorrect. The correct tense is 'will continue to evolve'.
Besides the above mentioned errors 'for adopting' is
incorrect in (C); the correction is 'to adopt' Only choice (B) is
free of errors. Choice (B)
16. Part (c) is erroneous. "b and of robbers must have a sense
of justice among them", is incorrect. The correction is 'among
themselves'. It answers the question 'among whom'. Hence
'among themselves' is the desired response. Part (d) is
incorrect due to the incorrect phrasal verb 'pulling out'. 'Pull
out' means 'to withdraw'. 'Pulling off' is the right phrasal verb.
'Pull off' means 'to succeed in doing something difficult'. The
error in statement (e) is the absence of the auxiliary verb
before 'detrimental'. "They are constituent parts.......and are
detrimental........" The conjunction 'and' connects two
different ideas hence, both the ideas must be of the same
grammatical structure.
Only (a) and (b) are free of errors. Choice (C)
17. Part A has a punctuational error i.e the absence of a comma
after 'Beck says'. The main idea is "September 11th was the
Chernobyl of globalization''. Hence, the words 'Beck says'
which occur in the middle of the sentence should be
separated by commas.
Statement (c) is also grammatically incorrect due to the use
'promise for'. The preposition 'for' is incorrect. The correction
is 'promise of salvation'. In (d) the error is 'problem of
humanity'. There are many problems which humanity faces.
Hence, 'the problems of humanity' is the correction.
Only (b) and (e) are appropriate. Choice (D)
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18. Statements (a) and (d) are grammatically correct. '(b)' is
erroneous due to the use of an incorrect pronoun i.e 'it is',
Since the reference is to 'domination and inequities' plural
number 'they are' should be used. In '(c)' the absence of the
comma after 'its history' makes it incorrect. In (e) the use of
'like' makes it incorrect. The correction is 'as dominated and
dependent as'.
Hence, only (a) and (d) are free of errors.
Choice (B)
19. Only (e) is free of errors – (a) is incorrect due to the absence
of the preposition 'from' after 'much'. (b) is erroneous due to
the incorrect positioning of the adverb 'mainly'. 'Mainly'
modifies 'about England', hence, it should be positioned after
'is'.
In '(c)' the error is in the comparison. The comparison is
between the idea that is central to William's work to the idea
that is central to the work of most scholars and critics. Hence,
to 'that of most scholars…' is the correction.
In (d) 'deal in' is incorrect. 'Deal in' means to 'trade in'.
The context in the sentence takes 'deal with'.
Choice (C)
20. Only (c) and (d) are grammatically correct. (a) is erroneous
due to the word 'characterizes'. The correction is
'characterize'. The reference is to facts (plural) that
'characterize world economy'.
Part B is erroneous due to the absence of the definite article
before 'high cost'. The correction is "the high cost of.........."
In (e) the correction is 'sketch out'. 'Sketch out' means 'to
give a brief account or a general outline of something'. 'To
sketch' means to make a quick drawing of something' which
is inapt in the context. Only (c) and (d) are free of errors.
Choice (B)
21. Statements (a) and (d) are correct. (b) is incorrect due to
illogical comparison. The comparison should be between the
'social base of the party of the Mexican Revolution' and the
'social base of the National Revolutionary Party'. Hence,
'wider than that of' would be the correction.
(c) is erroneous because the positioning of 'together' which
makes the sentence syntactically erroneous. The part of the
sentence after the colon always elaborates on the word
which precedes the colon. Since, the part of the sentence
after the colon talks about groups the sentence should be
correctly phrased as "and it brought together four groups:
..........' (e) is a continuation to (d). (e) is erroneous due to the
use of 'rather'. When 'more' is used 'rather' should not be
used. Hence, the correction is "It was more an attempt to
create a functional democracy than............".
Choice (C)
22. Only (a) and (d) are free of errors.
The absence of an article before 'hidden reality' makes B
incorrect. The use of 'was' in (c) renders it incorrect. When
the reference is to an imaginary and unreal situation the past
plural form of the verb (were) should be used. Hence, the
correction is "as if it were a". In (e), the use of 'from' after
'escapes' makes it incorrect. Choice (D)
23. (a) and (d) are free of errors.
In (b) the error is the absence of 'the' before 1950s.
(c) is erroneous due to the incorrect positioning of by', the
correction is "abandoned by both India and China........"
The error in (e) is the absence of 'a' after even.
The correction is "even a complete l lack..........."
Choice (C)
24. (a), (d) and (e) are grammatically correct. (b) is incorrect due
to the absence of preposition 'of' after 'concieve'. The error
in (c) is the positioning of 'perhaps'. It should be positioned
before 'originated'. 'Perhaps' is used to express uncertainity.
There is uncertainity about when 'it' (dualism) originated.
Hence 'perhaps' should modify 'originated. Choice (D)
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25. Only (a) and (e) are grammatically correct. The use of he
continuous tense 'being seen;' makes B incorrect. From the
tense in (a) it is clear that the imple present tense would be
correct. Hence, the correction is 'are seen as'.
The absence of comma after 'result' and 'objectors' makes
(c) incorrect. The positioning of 'rather' in (d) makes it
incorrect. The to infinitive should never be split. Hence, the
correction in (d) is 'to make rather seewping….' The absence
of the definite article before 'biotechnology industry' makes
(e) correct. Hence, only (a) is correct. Choice (D)
26. The sentence has a punctuational error besides other errors.
The sentence should correctly be punctuated as
"...............information overload, which is, in itself,...........".
The words 'which is' and 'in itself' should be separated by
commas. Further, in all the statements except 'D', the
correlative conjunction 'not only........but also' is incorrectly
used. The intended idea is the sheer volume of available
information not only obscure but also dissuade. Hence, the
sentence should be phrased as "..............available
information tends not only to obscure the important issues,
but also to dissuade....". When a correlative conjunction is
used to connect two entities, each part of the correlative
conjunction must immediately precede each of the word or
phrase to be connected. Only in statement (d) the positioning
is correct.
Further, in (A) and (C) 'coping up with' is incorrect. 'Cope up'
is incorrect. The correction is 'cope with'. Only (D) is free of
errors. Choice (D)
27. 'Politician and economist are reluctant ….'. The word 'being
reluctant' rules out Choice (B) and (E). Similarly 'fail to'
follows 'reluctant to'; 'are fail to' and, 'failing to' rules at (A)
and (D) respectively only Choice (C) is correct.
Choice (C)
28. Statement (D) is the grammatically correct option because of
the correctness of the tense, ie, (came from; past tense)
Further, the adverb (safely) is correctly positioned only in this
option. 'Safely' should modify 'analyze and understand',
hence, it should be positioned before "analyze and
understand". The correlative conjunction 'both.....and' is
connects "God" and "his creations" and it is correctly used
only in (d).
Statement (A) is ruled out due to the incorrect positioning of
the adverb 'safely'. Statement (b) and (c) have tense errors
i.e "comes from his"(present tense), 'had come'(past
perfect),has come from (present perfect).Only statement (D)
is free of errors. (apart from erroneous positioning of the
adverb.) Choice (D)
29. Statement (A) is ruled out due to the use of the incorrect
pronoun 'them'. The reference is to 'liberty' which is singular.
Hence, 'guaranteeing it' is the correction. This error is
repeated in (C) and E also. Further, in (a), the absence of 'in'
after 'but' (at the end of the sentence) disrupts the
parallelism. This is repeated in (B). Besides the above
mentioned errors, the absence of 'the' before 'means' in (B)
and (C) makes them incorrect. The reference is to 'the way
through which something is achieved', hence, 'the means' is
correct. Again B and E have tense errors. i.e 'they had
crafted' and 'they have crafted' respectively. Since there is a
reference to a past time frame, the use of simple past would
make the sentences correct.
Only (D) is free of errors. Choice (D)
30. Statements (A) and (B) are erroneous due to subject-verb
discord i.e the use of 'suggest'. The subject of the sentence
is i.e 'the little ' which is singular, non-countable noun, and
the verb takes 's'. i.e (suggests). Secondly (A) is ruled out
due to the absence of a pronoun 'it' after 'making'. 'It' is used
to refer to 'the possibility to attain rich and intricate systems
of knowledge _____'. Absence of 'it' makes the sentence
incorrect. This error is repeated in (D),. Further in (B) and (d)
the words "for us in attaining" make them incorrect. Thus
only '(C)' is free of errors. Choice (C)
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31. In statement (A) and (B) it is seen that the correlative
conjunction 'either.............or' is incorrectly used. The correct
structure is "Man is seen either as a mechanical
robot.........or as a rational........". Further, it is said in the
sentence that man's reactions are similar (like) to those of
mindless matter. Hence, "reactions are ascertainable and
predictable like those of......" would be correct. The use of
'just as' would be correct if the sentence reads ".......just as
those of matter are". The use of 'as' is incorrect because the
sentence refers to a similarity. This rules out (A), (C).
Besides the above mentioned errors, the use of plural (bear),
and negative (do not) with 'neither' makes (B), (C) incorrect.
Only D is free of errors. Choice (D)
32. All the statements except (B) have punctuational and
prepositional errors. The adverb 'then' and 'it is argued'
should be separated by a comma i.e; "to cultivate and
reorder creation, then, it is argued", is the correct structure.
Further, in (A) and (D) the absence of the preposition 'at'
before 'deployment' disrupts the parallelism. The correction
is "draw a line at the level........ or at the deployment....".
Besides the above mentioned errors, in (C) and (D) the
preposition 'of' before 'the use of' makes the sentences
incorrect.
Only (B) is free of errors. Choice (B)
33. Only statement (A) is grammatically and logically correct. In
the other options i.e; in statements (B) and (C) the use of
'mutually dependent system' is illogical. 'Mutually dependent'
should be followed by a plural noun i.e; 'mutually dependent
systems'. Similarly the use of the singular number 'a highly
complex' makes (C) and (D) incorrect as the reference is to
'systems'. Further, in all the statements expect (A), the tense
in the last part of the sentence is incorrect. The use of 'for
centuries' suggests that the present perfect tense is
appropriate in the context. Only statement (A) is free of
errors. Choice (A)
34. Statement (A) is ruled out due to the use of past tense, "The
United States extended....." In statements (B) and (D) the
use of "could not even imagine..." makes the statements
logically and grammatically incorrect. The reference is to a
past unfulfilled condition. Hence, the use of the perfect
conditional (could not have) would make the option correct.
Statement (C) is also incorrect due to use of past perfect
tense (had extended). Only statement (D) is free of errors.
Choice (D)
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35. Only choice (B) is right. The 1MF failed to understand, what?
'the workings of …' not 'how financial markets work'. The
plural 'their' and not 'its' is correct since the subject is
'workings'. Choice (B)
36 (a) and (c) are incorrect. The use of 'home for' in (a) makes it
incorrect. The correction is 'home to' which means 'abode for'.
The absence of the indefinite article 'a' before detailed
makes it incorrect. The correction is 'a detailed search …'
Since the reference is to a search.
Hence, Choice (D)
37. Sentence (a) is incorrect since it should be 'was' not 'were'
as the subject is 'a series'.
Sentence (b) is incorrect because 'apparently' qualifies
'grew' and hence must precede it '… that apparently grew'
Choice (A)
38. The absence of 'a' before 'world dominant' and the use of the
comparative 'fewer' (when actually comparison is not
involved) makes Choices (B) and (D) incorrect.
In choice (A) and (B) the absence of 'a' before 'position of
hegemony' renders them incorrect. The reference is to 'a
position'. 'less' is used when the reference is to uncountable
entities. Since the reference is to historical incidents which
are countable, 'few' is appropriate word. Choice (C)
39 Only (a) and (b) are grammatically correct. The use of the
singular verb 'has' in (c) makes it incorrect. Since the
reference is to modern medicine and resource availability
(two different entities) the verb should be in the plural.
In (d), the use of past tense is incorrect., because 'over the
years' suggests that the present perfect tense should be
used. Hence, the correction is 'longevity has increased'.
The absence of the article before 'huge' in (e) makes it
correct. The correction is 'a huge elderly population'.
Choice (A)
40. (b), (c) and (e) are grammatically incorrect. In (b) the
correction is 'came about' with the development of modern
humans; 'came about' means 'to take place' which is apt in
the context. 'Brought all the …' in (c) is incorrect. The
correction is 'brought in ' the sentence should read
'…rapacious ape we … brought all the true …in with us'.
Statement (e) has a spelling error i.e, 'ingenously'. The
correction is 'ingeniously' which means 'inventively'.
Hence, only (a) and (d) are correct. Choice (C)
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